Image forming apparatus and image forming system

ABSTRACT

There are provided an image forming apparatus which is capable of efficiently performing necessary actions to thereby reduce downtime. At least one job can be registered. Image formation is performed according to the at least one registered job. Action objects are detected on which actions necessary for the image forming apparatus should be taken.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an imageforming system which are capable of registering one or more jobs whichshould be executed within a predetermined time period.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been proposed which canbe set to a copying mode, and if the apparatus has not been initializedto conditions necessary for the copying mode at the start of a copyingoperation, notifies the operator of the fact by displaying necessaryinformation (see e.g. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No.11-174910). Therefore, if the apparatus has not been initialized to thenecessary conditions, the operator is prompted to take actions, such assetting of initial conditions, execution of adjustment on items whichneed to be adjusted for execution of the copying operation, andexecution of maintenance based on all maintenance items.

However, in such an image forming apparatus as described above, when aplurality of jobs are registered, the operator is prompted to take theabove mentioned actions at the start of each job, which makes itinefficient to carry out the actions and therefore impossible to reducedowntime.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of the present invention to provide an imageforming apparatus and an image forming system which are capable ofefficiently performing necessary actions to thereby reduce downtime.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide an imageforming apparatus and an image forming system which are capable ofefficiently performing adjustment based on adjustment items which needto be adjusted for execution of jobs to thereby reduce downtime.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide an imageforming apparatus and an image forming system which are capable ofnotifying an operator of maintenance items unnecessary to executemaintenance based thereon, to thereby reduce downtime owing tomaintenance.

To attain the first to third objects, in a first aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising aregistration device that is capable of registering at least one job, animage forming device that performs image formation according to the atleast one registered job, and an action object-detecting device thatdetects action objects on which actions necessary for the image formingapparatus should be taken.

With the arrangement of the image forming apparatus according to thefirst aspect of the invention, action objects on which an actionnecessary for the image forming apparatus should be taken are detected.This makes it possible to efficiently take actions on the only actionobjects necessary for the image forming apparatus to thereby reducedowntime.

Preferably, the at least one job should be executed within apredetermined time period, and the action object-detecting devicecomprises an adjustment item-detecting device that detects items ofadjustment to be executed for the image forming apparatus as the actionobjects, from contents of the at least one registered job, the imageforming apparatus further comprising a display device that displays anadjustment table describing the items of adjustment detected by theadjustment item-detecting device, an adjustment item-selecting devicethat selects at least one item of adjustment on which adjustment shouldbe executed, from the items of adjustment described in the adjustmenttable displayed by the display device, and an adjustment executingdevice that executes adjustment on the at least one item of adjustmentselected by the adjustment item-selecting device.

With the arrangement of the preferred embodiment, items of adjustment tobe executed for the image forming apparatus are detected from contentsof the at least one registered job, and an adjustment table is displayedin which the items of adjustment are described. An item of adjustment onwhich adjustment should be executed is selected from the items ofadjustment described in the adjustment table, and adjustment is executedon the selected item of adjustment. This makes it possible toefficiently perform adjustment on the items of adjustment necessary forexecution of the at least one job, to thereby reduce downtime.

More preferably, the image forming apparatus further comprises an outputdevice that outputs contents of the adjustment table displayed by thedisplay device.

More preferably, the image forming apparatus further comprises anadjustment contents-storing device that stores contents of theadjustment executed by the adjustment executing device.

More preferably, a post-processing apparatus is connected to the imageforming apparatus, and the items of adjustment include items ofadjustment for the post-processing apparatus.

To attain the first and third objects, preferably, the at least one jobcomprises a plurality of jobs, and the action object-detecting devicecomprises a discriminating device that is operable when all of the atleast one registered job are executed, to discriminate between itemswhich require execution of maintenance and items which do not requireexecution of maintenance from items of maintenance for the image formingapparatus as the action objects, the image forming apparatus comprisinga display device that displays the items which require execution ofmaintenance and the items which do not require execution of maintenancein respective different manners of display according to results of thediscrimination by the discriminating device, and a permitting devicethat permits start of execution of the at least one registered job uponcompletion of maintenance on the items which require execution ofmaintenance.

With the arrangement of the preferred embodiment, in executing all ofthe at least one registered job, discrimination is carried out betweenitems which require execution of maintenance and items which do notrequire execution of maintenance from items of maintenance for the imageforming apparatus, and the items which require execution of maintenanceand the items which do not require execution of maintenance aredisplayed in respective different manners of display, according toresults of the discrimination, and start of execution of the at leastone registered job is permitted upon completion of maintenance on theitems which require execution of maintenance. This makes it possible tonotify the operation of items of maintenance which do not requireexecution of maintenance, to thereby reduce downtime caused bymaintenance operations.

More preferably, one of the different manners of display comprisesshading in gray the items.

More preferably, the image forming device comprises a plurality of imageforming devices, and the image forming apparatus further comprises acontrol device that controls the action object-detecting device, thedisplay device, and the permitting device such that when theregistration device registers the at least one job, an image formingdevice which should execute image formation according to each of the atleast one job is selectively set from the plurality of image formingdevices, and the start of execution of the job is permitted inassociation with the set image forming device.

More preferably, the image forming apparatus further comprises amanagement device connected to the plurality of image forming devicesfor management thereof, and the management device has incorporatedwherein the registration device, the action object-detecting device, thedisplay device, the permitting device, and the control device.

To attain the first and third objects, preferably, the at least one jobcomprises a plurality of jobs, and the action object-detecting devicecomprises a counting device that counts a number of times of imageformation by the image forming device, an endurance limit count-holdingdevice that holds an endurance limit number of times of operationassociated with each of components provided in the image formingapparatus, an image formation number-of-time estimating device thatestimates a count value by the counting device when all of the at leastone registered job are to be executed, as an estimated number of timesof image formation, and a discriminating device that compares theestimated number of times of image formation estimated by the imageformation number-of-time estimating device with the endurance limitnumber of times of operation held by the endurance limit count-holdingdevice, and discriminates, based on results of the comparison, betweencomponents of which the endurance limit number of times of operationexceeds the estimated number of times of image formation and componentsof which the endurance limit number of times of operation does notexceed the estimated number of times of image formation, and the imageforming apparatus further comprises a display device that displays itemsindicative of the components of which the endurance limit number oftimes of operation exceeds the estimated number of times of imageformation and items indicative of the components of which the endurancelimit number of times of operation does not exceed the estimated numberof times of image formation, in respective different manners of displayaccording to results of the determination by the determining device, anda permitting device that permits start of execution of the at least oneregistered job, when maintenance of the components of which theendurance limit number of times of operation does not exceed theestimated number of times of image formation has been completed.

With the arrangement of the preferred embodiment, in executing all ofthe at least one registered job, the endurance limit number of times ofoperation associated with each of components provided in the imageforming apparatus is compared with the estimated number of times ofimage formation, and discrimination is carried out, based on results ofthe comparison, between components of which the endurance limit numberof times of operation exceeds the estimated number of times of imageformation and components of which the endurance limit number of times ofoperation does not exceed the estimated number of times of imageformation, and respective items indicative of the components of whichthe endurance limit number of times of operation exceeds the estimatednumber of times of image formation and respective items indicative ofthe components of which the endurance limit number of times of operationdoes not exceed the estimated number of times of image formation aredisplayed in respective different manners of display according toresults of the discrimination. Start of execution of the at least oneregistered job is permitted when maintenance of the components of whichthe endurance limit number of times of operation does not exceed theestimated number of times of image formation has been completed. Thismakes it possible to notify the operator of the items of maintenancewhich do not require execution of maintenance, to thereby reducedowntime caused by maintenance operations.

Preferably, one of the different manners of display comprises shading ingray the items.

More preferably, the image forming device comprises a plurality of imageforming devices, and the image forming apparatus further comprises acontrol device that controls the action object-detecting device, thedisplay device, and the permitting device such that when theregistration device registers the at least one job, an image formingdevice which should execute image formation according to each of the atleast one job is selectively set from the plurality of image formingdevices, and the start of execution of the job is permitted inassociation with the set image forming device.

More preferably, the image forming apparatus further comprises amanagement device connected to the plurality of image forming devicesfor management thereof, and the management device has incorporatedtherein the registration device, the action object-detecting device, thedisplay device, the permitting device, and the control device.

To attain the first and third objects, preferably, the at least one jobcomprises a plurality of jobs, and the image forming apparatus furthercomprises a process configuration device that performs configuration ofprocesses by the image forming device according to a mode associatedwith each of the at least one job, the action object-detecting devicecomprising a measuring device that measures an ambient environment valuerepresentative of an ambient environment of the image forming device, aholding device that holds the ambient environment value measured by themeasuring device when the process configuration device performs theconfiguration of the processes, in association with the processesconfiguration, and a determining device that compares the ambientenvironment value held by the holding device in association with theconfiguration of the processes by the process configuration device foreach of the at least one registered job with the ambient environmentvalue measured by the measuring device, and determines, based on resultsof the comparison, whether or not it is necessary to re-configure theprocesses, as the action objects, already configured for each of the atleast one registered job, the image forming apparatus further comprisinga display device that displays respective items indicative of processconfigurations associated with the at least one registered job inrespective different manners of display according to results of thedetermination by the determining device, and a permitting device thatpermits start of execution of the at least one registered job, whenconfiguration of the processes for jobs which require re-configurationof the processes already configured has been completed.

With the arrangement of the preferred embodiment, in executing all ofthe at least one registered job, it is determined whether or not it isnecessary to re-configure the processes already configured for each ofthe at least one registered job, and respective items indicative ofprocess configurations associated with the at least one registered jobare displayed according to results of the determination, in respectivedifferent manners of display. Start of execution of the at least oneregistered job is permitted when configuration of the processes for jobswhich require re-configuration of the processes already configured hasbeen completed. This makes it possible to notify the operator of itemsof maintenance which do not require execution of maintenance, to therebyreduce downtime caused by maintenance operations.

More preferably, out of the items indicative of the processconfigurations associated with the at least one registered job, thedisplay device causes items indicative of process configurations whichdo not require re-configuration, to be shaded in gray.

More preferably, the image forming device comprises a plurality of imageforming devices, and the image forming apparatus further comprises acontrol device that controls the action object-detecting device, thedisplay device, and the permitting device such that when theregistration device registers the at least one job, an image formingdevice which should execute image formation according to each of the atleast one job is selectively set from the plurality of image formingdevices, and the start of execution of the job is permitted inassociation with the set image forming device.

More preferably, the image forming apparatus further comprising amanagement device connected to the plurality of image forming devicesfor management thereof, and the management device has incorporatedtherein the registration device, the action object-detecting device, thedisplay device, the permitting device, and the control device.

To attain the first and third objects, preferably, the at least one jobcomprises a plurality of jobs, and the image forming apparatus comprisesa plurality of sheet feeding devices that feed sheets to the imageforming device, and a switching device that switches between the sheetfeeding devices according to a mode associated with each of the at leastone registered job, the action object-detecting device comprising sheetfeeding number-of-time counting devices that are provided in associationwith respective ones of the sheet feeding devices, for counting numbersof times of sheet feeding from the sheet feeding devices, detectingdevices that are provided in association with respective ones of thesheet feeding devices, for detecting respective numbers of sheets thatthe sheet feeding devices contain and a discriminating device thatcompares, for respective ones of the sheet feeding devices used when allof the at least one registered job are executed, the respective numbersof sheets with respective required numbers of times of sheet feeding tobe counted by a corresponding one of the sheet feeding number-of-timecounting devices, and based on results of the comparison, discriminatesones of the sheet feeding devices of which the respective numbers ofsheets, as the action objects, are smaller than the respective requirednumbers of sheets, and ones of the sheet feeding devices of which therespective numbers of sheets are equal to or larger than the respectiverequired numbers of sheets, the image forming apparatus comprising adisplay device that displays items indicative of the ones of the sheetfeeding devices of which the respective numbers of sheets are smallerthan the respective required numbers of sheets, and items indicative ofthe ones of the sheet feeding devices of which the respective numbers ofsheets are equal to or larger than the respective required numbers ofsheets, in respective different manners of display according to resultsof the discrimination by the discriminating device, and a permittingdevice that permits start of execution of the at least one registeredjob, when replenishment of sheets to the ones of the sheet feedingdevices of which the respective numbers of sheets are smaller than therespective required number of sheets, is completed.

With the arrangement of the preferred embodiment, in executing all ofthe at least one registered job, for each of the sheet feeding devicesused for executing all of the at least one registered job, the numbersof sheets are compared with required numbers of times of sheet feedingto be counted by sheet feeding time counting devices, respectively, andbased on results of the comparison, discrimination is performed betweenones of the sheet feeding devices of which the respective numbers ofsheets are smaller than the required numbers of sheets, and ones of thesheet feeding devices of which the numbers of sheets are equal to orlarger than the required numbers of sheets, and according to results ofthe discrimination by the discriminating device, items indicative of theones of the sheet feeding devices of which the numbers of sheets aresmaller than the required numbers of sheets, respectively, and itemsindicative of the ones of the sheet feeding devices of which the numbersof sheets are equal to or larger than the required numbers of sheets,respectively, are displayed in respective different manners of display.Start of execution of the at least one registered job is permitted whenreplenishment of sheets to the ones of the sheet feeding devices ofwhich the maximum numbers of sheets are smaller than the requirednumber-of sheets, is completed.

More preferably, one of the different manners of display comprisesshading in gray the items.

More preferably, the image forming device comprises a plurality of imageforming devices, and the image forming apparatus further comprises acontrol device that controls the action object-detecting device, thedisplay device, and the permitting device such that when theregistration device registers the at least one job, an image formingdevice which should execute image formation according to each of the atleast one job is selectively set from the plurality of image formingdevices, and the start of execution of the job is permitted inassociation with the set image forming device.

More preferably, the image forming apparatus further comprises amanagement device connected to the plurality of image forming devicesfor management thereof, and the management device has incorporatedtherein the registration device, the action object-detecting device, thedisplay device, the permitting device, and the control device.

To attain the first and third objects, in a second aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided an image forming system comprising at leastone image forming apparatus, a management apparatus connected to the atleast one image forming apparatus for communication therebetween, formanaging the at least one image forming apparatus, a registration devicethat is capable of registering at least one object to be executed by theat least one image forming apparatus, an image forming device thatperforms image formation according to each of the at least one jobregistered by the registration device, and an action item-detectingdevice that detects items of actions necessary for performing the imageformation.

With the arrangement of the image forming system according to the secondaspect of the invention, items of actions necessary for performing theimage formation are determined from the at least one registered job, amanagement apparatus is interconnected to at least one image formingapparatus, for management of the at least one image forming apparatus,items necessary for image formation according to each of at least onejob registered by a registration device are detected. This makes itpossible to efficiently perform the necessary actions necessary forexecution of the at least one job, to thereby reduce downtime.

To attain the first and third objects, preferably, the at least one jobshould be executed within a predetermined time period, and the actionitem-detecting device comprises an adjustment item-detecting device thatdetects items of adjustment to be executed for the image formingapparatus as the action objects, from contents of the at least oneregistered job, the image forming apparatus further comprising a displaydevice that displays an adjustment table describing the items ofadjustment detected by the adjustment item-detecting device, anadjustment item-selecting device that selects at least one item ofadjustment on which adjustment should be executed, from the items ofadjustment described in the adjustment table displayed by the displaydevice, and an adjustment executing device that executes adjustment onthe at least one item of adjustment selected by the adjustmentitem-selecting device.

With the arrangement of the preferred embodiment, items of adjustment tobe executed for each of the at least one image forming apparatus aredetected from contents of the at least one registered job, and anadjustment table is displayed in which the items of adjustment aredescribed. An item of adjustment on which adjustment should be executedis selected from the items of adjustment described in the adjustmenttable, and adjustment is executed on the selected item of adjustment.This makes it possible to efficiently perform adjustment on the items ofadjustment necessary for execution of the at least one job, to therebyreduce downtime.

The above and other objects of the invention will become more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement of an imageforming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an MFP 104appearing in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically showingdetails of the arrangement of a scanner section 201 including an IPsection 202, appearing in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the IP section 202;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a FAX section 203appearing in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a NIC section 204and a PDL section 205 appearing in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a core section 206appearing in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8A is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a PWM section 207and a printer section 208 appearing in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8B is signal waveform diagram showing waveforms of respectiveoutput signals from a triangular wave generator 801, a D/A conversionsection 802, a comparator 803 appearing in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing details of thearrangement of the printer section 208 of the MFP 104 appearing in FIG.1;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing details of thearrangement of a printer section 208 of an MFP 105 appearing in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a display section210 appearing in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of mode-specific adjustmentitems associated with modes of the MFP's 104, 105 appearing in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operations in anadjustment process executed by the MFP 104 appearing in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying anadjustment table, which is displayed in a step S1207 of the flowchartshown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a printing setup screendisplayed in a step S1209 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the arrangement ofa stapling mechanism of a finisher 106;

FIG. 17 is longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the arrangement ofthe stapling mechanism of the finisher 106;

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically showing thearrangement of a trimmer;

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically showing thearrangement of the trimmer;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an image forming system according toa second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operations executed inassociation with a work flow of an operator of the image forming systemshown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of an initial screen displayed on aserver 3101 appearing in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying maintenanceitems for an image forming apparatus 3103 appearing in FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying maintenanceitems for an image forming apparatus 3102 appearing in FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of a screen for configuringsettings of an-adjustment sequence for the image forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 26 is a view showing view showing an example of a screen forconfiguring an adjustment sequence for the image forming apparatus 3102;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are flowchart showing a maintenance process executedin a step S103 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of a data registration menu screendisplayed on the sever 3101;

FIG. 29 is a view showing an example of a job registration menu screendisplayed on the server 3101;

FIG. 30 is a view showing an example of an apparatus status displayscreen showing a status of the image forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 31 is a view showing an example of an apparatus status displayscreen showing a status of the image forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 32 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying informationof cassette-by-cassette settings of sheets set in sheet feed cassettesof the image forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 33 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying informationof cassette-by-cassette settings of sheets set in sheet feed cassettesof the image forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 34 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying atime-change component status of the image forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 35 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying atime-change component status of the image forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 36 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a status ofconsumables of the mage forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 37 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a status ofconsumables of the mage forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 38 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a status ofconsumables of the mage forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 39 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a status ofconsumables of the mage forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 40 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a status ofsoftware counter consumables of the mage forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 41 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a status ofsoftware counter consumables of the mage forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 42 is a view showing an example of a screen for configuring a downsequence for the image forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 43 is a view showing an example of a screen for configuring a downsequence for the image forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 44 is a view showing an example of a screen for configuring a thickpaper mode for the image forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 45 is view showing an example of a screen for configuring a thickpaper mode for the image forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 46 is a view showing an example of a mode-specific adjustmentscreen for down sequence adjustment for the image forming apparatus3103;

FIG. 47 is a view showing an example of a mode-specific adjustmentscreen for down sequence adjustment for the image forming apparatus3102;

FIG. 48 is a view showing an example of a mode-specific adjustmentscreen for thick paper mode adjustment for the image forming apparatus3103;

FIG. 49 is a view showing an example of a mode-specific adjustmentscreen for thick paper mode adjustment for the image forming apparatus3102;

FIG. 50 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a list ofitems of replacement/cleaning/replenishment for the image formingapparatus 3103;

FIG. 51 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a list ofitems of replacement/cleaning/replenishment for the image formingapparatus 3103;

FIG. 52 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a list ofitems of replacement/cleaning/replenishment for the image formingapparatus 3102;

FIG. 53 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying a list ofitems of replacement/cleaning/replenishment for the image formingapparatus 3102;

FIG. 54 is a view showing an example of a sheet feed cassette-relatedprocess screen for the image forming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 55 is a view showing an example of a sheet feed cassette-relatedprocess screen for the image forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 56 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the server 3101;

FIG. 57 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the image formingapparatus 3102;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing the appearance the image formingapparatus 3102;

FIG. 59 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing details of theinternal construction of the image forming apparatus 3102;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the imageforming apparatus 3103;

FIG. 61 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing details of theinternal construction of the image forming apparatus 3103; and

FIG. 62 is a view showing locations of replacement parts used in theimage forming apparatus 3102.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments thereof.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the arrangement of an image forming systemaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system is comprised of a computer102 as a server, computers 103 a, 103 b as clients, MFP's (MultiFunction Peripherals) 104, 105, and a network 101 through which theseapparatuses are interconnected. It is to be understood that numerouscomputers (not shown) as clients are connected to the network 101 inaddition to the computers 103 a, 103 b. Hereafter, the numerouscomputers as clients, including the computers 103 a and 103 b, will begenerically referred to as the computer 103.

The MFP 104 is a color MFP capable of performing full-color scanning andprinting. In the MFP 104, output sheets for printing are stacked ontrays 108, 109, 110 of a finisher section 106. On the other hand, theMEP 105 is a monochrome MFP capable of performing monochrome scanningand printing. In the MFP 105, output sheets for printing are stacked ontrays 111, 112, 113 of a finisher section 107.

Further, devices and apparatuses, such as MFP's other than theabove-mentioned ones, scanners, printers and facsimiles, not shown, areinterconnected on the network 101.

On the computer 103, application software for carrying out so-called DTP(Desk Top Publishing) operates for generation/editing of variousdocuments/graphics. The computer 103 converts the generateddocuments/graphics to the PDL (Page Description Language). The PDL isdelivered to the MFP 104 (105) via the network 101 to be printed out.

The MFP's 104, 105 have communication means capable of exchanginginformation with the computers 102, 103 via the network 101, wherebyinformation and statuses of the MFP's are sequentially notified to thecomputers 102, 103. On each of the computers 102, 103, there isinstalled utility software operable in response to information from theMFP 104 or 105, for managing the MFP 104 or 105.

Next, the arrangement of the MFP 104 will be described with reference toFIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the MFP104. The MFP 104 and the MFP 105 are different from each other in thatthe former is a full-color MFP and the latter is a monochrome MFP.However, in many cases, a full-color apparatus includes the arrangementof a monochrome apparatus, and therefore, hereafter a description willbe mainly given of the MFP 104 as the color MFP, with the MFP 105 as themonochrome MFP being additionally described as required.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 104 is comprised of a scanner section 201that reads an image, an IP (image processing) section 202 that processesthe image read by the scanner section 201, a FAX section 203 thattransmits and receives images using a telephone line, typified by afacsimile, an NIC (Network Interface Card) section 204 that transmitsand receives image data and apparatus information using a network, a PDLsection 205 that develops PDL sent from the computer 103 into an imagesignal, and a core section 206 that temporarily stores the image signaldepending on the manner of use of the MFP 104 and determines a path forthe signal.

Image data outputted from the core section 206 is delivered via a PWM(Pulse Width Modulation) section 207 to a printer section 208 thatperforms image formation. In the printer section 208, an image isprinted on a sheet (output sheet) based on the image data, and the sheetis delivered to a finisher section 211 (corresponding to the finishersection 106 appearing in FIG. 1) In the finisher section 211, aplurality of sheets delivered from the printer section 208 are subjectedto post-processing as required, and then sequentially stacked on anassociated tray.

Further, connected to the core section 206 is a display section 210 fordisplaying image data from the core section 206. This function of thedisplay section 210 enables execution of so-called preview forconfirming the state of an image before printing. Further, the displaysection 210 is capable of displaying operation information outputtedfrom the PDL section 205 via the core section 206.

Next, the arrangement of the scanner section 201 will be described withreference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional viewshowing details of the arrangement of the scanner section 201 includingthe IP section 202 appearing in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner section 201 has an original platen glassplate 301 on which an original 302 to be read is placed. The original302 on the original platen glass plate 301 is irradiated with light froman illuminating lamp 303, and reflected light from the original 302 isreflected by mirrors 304, 305, 306 and then focused through a lens 307onto a CCD sensor 308 to form an image thereon. The CCD sensor 308converts the formed optical image into an electric signals and thenoutputs the signals. More specifically, the CCD sensor 308 is a colorsensor comprised of three line sensors of RGB (red, green, blue), andoutputs respective image signals (electric signals) of RGB. The mirror304 and the illuminating lamp 303 are installed in a first mirror unit310, which moves at a velocity of v. The mirrors 305, 306 are installedin a second mirror unit 311, which moves at a velocity of 0.5 v. Themovement of the first and second mirror units 310, 311 causes thesurface of the original 302 to be scanned for reading. The first andsecond mirror units 310, 311 are driven by a motor 309.

Next, the arrangement of the IP section 202 will be described withreference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangementof the IP section 202.

The IP section 202 includes an A/D conversion section 401 that receivesthe electric signals (RGB) from the CCD sensor 308 as image signals. Theelectric signals (RGB) from the CCD sensor 308 are subjected to gainadjustment and offset adjustment in the A/D conversion section 401, andthen converted into 8-bit digital image signals R0, G0, B0 by an A/Dconverter thereof on a color signal-by-color signal basis. The digitalimage signals R0, G0, B0 are inputted to a shading correction section402, and known shading correction is performed on each of the digitalimage signals R0, G0, B0 using a read signal from a standard white boardon a color-by-color basis. The line sensors of the CCD sensor 308 arearranged in predetermined spaced relation, and therefore the signalsdelivered from the shading correction section 402 after execution ofshading correction have their spatial deviation in the sub scanningdirection corrected by a line interpolating section 403 implemented byline delay adjusting circuits.

The image signals outputted from the line interpolating section 403 areinputted to an input masking section 404. The input masking section 404converts a read color space determined depending on spectralcharacteristics of R, G, B filters of the CCD sensor 308 to a standardcolor space pursuant to the NTSC (National Television System Committee)standards, and performs 3×3 matrix operation using an apparatus-specificconstant set in view of characteristics, such as the sensitivitycharacteristics of the CCD sensor 308 and the spectral characteristicsof the illuminating lamp 303, to thereby convert the digital imagesignals R0, G0, B0 into standard R, G, B signals.

The R, G, B signals from the input masking section 404 are inputted to aLOG converter section 405 as a luminance-to-optical density convertersection. The LOG converter section 405 includes a RAM storing a lookuptable (LUT), and converts the R, G, B signals as luminance signals torespective optical density signals C1, M1, Y1.

The optical density signals C1, M1, Y1 are inputted to an output maskingsection 406 implemented by output masking/UCR (Under Color Removal)circuits. The output masking section 406 converts the optical densitysignals C1, M1, Y1 into respective Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) andK (black) signals indicative of toner colors by matrix operation, andcorrects C1, M1, Y1, K1 signals based on the R, G, B signals read by theCCD sensor 308 into C, M, Y, K signals based on the spectraldistribution characteristics of toners, and outputs the C, M, Y, Ksignals.

Then, in a gamma correction section 407, gamma conversion is performedon the C, M, Y, K signals using a RAM storing a lookup table (LUT) forcorrection by taking the color tone characteristics of toners intoconsideration, whereby the C, M, Y, K signals are converted to C, M, Y,K data for image output. The data are subjected to sharpness orsmoothing by a spatial filter 408, and then delivered to the coresection 206.

In the case of the MFP 105, which performs monochrome image processing,A/D conversion and shading are executed for a single color by amonochrome 1-line CCD, whereafter input/output masking, gamma conversionand spatial filtering may be performed in the mentioned order, oralternatively processing may be executed in the same procedure as in theMFP 104.

Next, the arrangement of the FAX section 203 will be described withreference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the arrangementof the FAX section 203.

As shown in FIG. 5, the FAX section 203 receives a signal of data from atelephone line, and carries out voltage conversion of the signal in anNCU 501, A/D conversion and modulation in a modulating section 504 of amodem section 502, and then developing the data into raster image datain an expansion section 506. In general, the run length method isemployed for compression and expansion, referred to hereinafter, in theFAX section 203. The image data converted into the raster image data istemporarily stored in a memory section 507, and checked for transfererror of the image data. After being confirmed that there is no transfererror, the image data is sent to the core section 206.

When the FAX section transmits data, an image signal of raster imagedata inputted from the core section 206 is compressed e.g. by the runlength method in a compression section 505 and subjected to D/Aconversion and modulation in a modulating section 503 of the modemsection 502, followed by being sent to the telephone line via the NCU501.

Next, the arrangement of the NIC section 204 will be described withreference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangementof the NIC section 204 appearing in FIG. 2 and that of the PDL section205 also appearing in FIG. 2.

The NIC section 204 has a function of interfacing with the network 101.This interface function is to exchange information with an externalapparatus using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, such as a10Base-T cable or a 100Base-TX cable.

When the NIC section 204 receives a signal of information from anexternal apparatus, first, the received signal is subjected to voltageconversion in a transformer 601, and then delivered to a LAN controller602. The LAN controller 602 includes a first buffer memory (not shown)for storing information carried by the received signal, and determineswhether or not the information is necessary information, and thendelivers the information from the first buffer memory to a second buffermemory (not shown), whereafter the information is outputted to the PDLsection 205.

When the NIC section 204 transmits a signal of information to anexternal apparatus, necessary information is added to data inputted fromthe PDL section 205, by the LAN controller 602, whereafter the data issent to the network 101 via the transformer 601 as the signal.

Next, the arrangement of the PDL section 205 will be described withreference to FIG. 6.

Image data generated by application software operating on the computer103 is written in a PDL (Page Description Language) which is acombination of image-describing elements, such as character codes,graphic codes, and raster image data, for describing text, graphics anda photograph, respectively. The PDL is typified by the PostScript(registered trademark) language of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

The PDL section 205 converts the PDL data into raster image data. Indoing this, first, the PDL data outputted from the NIC section 204 isdelivered via a CPU 603 to a large-capacity memory 604 implemented e.g.by a hard disk drive (HDD) and stored in the memory 604, as shown inFIG. 6. In the memory 604, data is managed and stored on a job-by-jobbasis. Then, the CPU 603 carries out so-called raster image processing(RIP) to thereby develop the PDL data into raster image data. Theobtained raster image data is stored in a fast accessible memory 605implemented e.g. by a DRAM such that the C, M, Y, K color components ofthe data are separately stored in units of pages, on a job-by-job basis.Each page of the stored raster image data is delivered to the coresection 206 via the CPU 603 in accordance with the status of the printersection 208. Further, in the PDL section 205, operation information isgenerated and delivered to the display section 210 via the core section206.

Next, the arrangement of the core section 206 will be described withreference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the arrangementof the core section 206 appearing in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 7, the core section 206 includes a bus selector 701.The bus selector 701 is in charge of performing, so to speak, trafficcontrol in the case where the MFP 104 (105) is used. More specifically,the bus selector 701 switches buses according to selected functions ofthe MFP 104 (105), such as copying, network scanning, network printing,facsimile transmission/reception, or screen display.

For execution of the functions (1) to (6) enumerated below, respectivedata paths are selected by bus switching, as follows:

(1) copying: scanner section 201→core section 206→printer section 208

(2) network scanning: scanner section 201→core section 206→NIC section204

(3) network printing: NIC section 204→core section 206→printer section208

(4) facsimile transmission: scanner section 201→core section 206→FAXsection 203

(5) facsimile reception: FAX section 203→core section 206→printersection 208

(6) screen display: scanner section 201, FAX section 203 or NIC section204→core section 206→display section 210

Image data outputted via the bus selector 701 is delivered to theprinter section 208 (PWN section 207), the display section 210 or thefinisher section 211 via a compression section 702, a memory section 703comprised of a large-capacity memory implemented e.g. by a hard diskdrive (HDD), and an expansion section 704. The compression section 702employs a common compression method, such as JPEG, JBIG or ZIP. Thecompressed image data is managed on a job-by-job basis, and stored inthe memory section 703, together with additional data including a filename, a creator, a preparation date and time, and a file size.

Further, if a job number and a password are set and stored together withthe above data, it is possible to support a personal box function. Thisfunction is not only for temporarily storing data but also forpreventing the data from being printed out (read out from the memorysection 703) by a person other than a certain person authenticated bythe password. When an instruction is given for printout of a stored job,authentication is executed based on the password, and then correspondingdata is read from the memory section 703 and expanded into raster imagedata in the expansion section 704, followed by being delivered to theprinter section 208.

Next, the arrangement of the PWN section 207 will be described withreference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 8A is a block diagram showing thearrangement of the PWN section 207 appearing in FIG. 2 and that of theprinter section 208 also appearing in FIG. 2, while FIG. 8B is a diagramshowing respective waveforms of output signals from a triangular wavegenerator 801, a D/A conversion section 802, and a comparator 803 eachappearing in FIG. 8A. It should be noted that there are provided PWMsections 207 for the Y, M, C, K colors, respectively. However, in FIG.2, they are collectively shown as the PWN section 207, and in FIG. 8A,reference numeral 207 designates a specific one of the specific PWMsections.

Image data subjected to color-separation into Y, M, C, K colors andoutputted from the core section 206 (or monochrome image data in thecase of the MFP 105) pass through the respective associated PWN sections207 to the printer section 208, wherein they are subjected to imageformation. As shown in FIG. 8A, the PWN section 207 includes thetriangular wave generator 801 and the D/A conversion section 802 thatconverts an inputted digital image signal to an analog signal. A signal(corresponding to a waveform “a” appearing in FIG. 8B) from thetriangular wave generator 801 and an analog signal (corresponding to awaveform “b” appearing in FIG. 8B) from the D/A conversion section 802have respective values thereof compared with each other by thecomparator 803, and the results of comparison are delivered as an outputsignal (corresponding to a waveform “c” appearing in FIG. 8B) from thecomparator 803 to a laser driving section 804. Each of semiconductorlasers 805 provided for the C, M, Y, K colors emits a laser beamaccording to an output signal from the associated one of the comparators803 supplied with the C, M, Y, K analog signals. The laser beams arescanned by a polygon scanner 913, and applied onto photosensitive drums917, 921, 925, 927, described in detail hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 9, respectively.

Next, the arrangement of the printer section 208 of the color MFP 104will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is alongitudinal cross-sectional view showing details of the arrangement ofthe printer section 208 of the MFP 104 appearing in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the printer section 208 includes the polygon mirror913, which receives the four laser beams emitted from the respectivefour semiconductor lasers appearing in FIG. 8A. One of the four laserbeams reaches the photosensitive drum 917 via mirrors 914, 915, 916 toscan the same. Another laser beam reaches the photosensitive drum 921via mirrors 918, 919, 920 to scan the same. Still another laser beamreaches the photosensitive drum 925 via mirrors 922, 923, 924 to scanthe same, and the other laser beam reaches the photosensitive drum 929via mirrors 926, 927, 928 to scan the same.

A laser beam corresponding to the yellow (Y) analog signal forms anelectrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 917. Thiselectrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by yellowtoner supplied from a developing device 930. A laser beam correspondingto the magenta (M) analog signal forms an electrostatic latent image onthe photosensitive drum 921. This electrostatic latent image isvisualized as a toner image by magenta toner supplied from a developingdevice 931. A laser beam corresponding to the cyan (C) analog signalforms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 925. Thiselectrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by cyan tonersupplied from a developing device 932. A laser beam corresponding to theblack (K) analog signal forms an electrostatic latent image on thephotosensitive drum 927. This electrostatic latent image is visualizedas a toner image by black toner supplied from a developing device 933.Thus, the toner images of the four colors (Y, M, C, K) are formed on thephotosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, 929, respectively. The color tonerimages are transferred onto a sheet fed from one of sheet cassettes 934,935 and a manual feed tray 936.

The sheet fed from one of the sheet cassettes 934, 935 and the manualfeed tray 936 passes between a registration roller pair 937 to beattracted to a transfer belt 938 and conveyed by the transfer belt 938.The sheet is fed (conveyed) in timing synchronous with formation of therespective color toner images on the photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925,929, and the color toner images are transferred onto the conveyed sheet.After the color toner images are transferred onto the sheet, the sheetis separated from the transfer belt 938 by a separator 962 and thendelivered to a fixing device 940 by a conveyor belt 939. In the fixingdevice 940, the toner images on the sheet are fixed to the sheet bybeing heated under pressure. After having passed through the fixingdevice 940, the sheet is discharged from the printer section 208 via aswitching flapper 950, or alternatively introduced into a double-sidedconveying path 971.

The sheet introduced into the double-sided conveying path 971 isreversed and then conveyed to a double-sided conveying section 970. Thedouble-sided conveying section 970 feeds the sheet again in the sametiming as described above. Thus, images can be printed on both sides ofthe sheet.

The four photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, 929 are arranged in equallyspaced relation at intervals of distance d; each sheet is conveyed bythe transfer belt 938 at a constant speed v; and the four semiconductorlasers 805 are driven in timing synchronous with conveyance of thesheet.

Next, the arrangement of the printer section 208 of the monochrome MFP105 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is alongitudinal cross-sectional view showing details of the arrangement ofthe printer section 208 of the MFP 105.

In the printer section 208 of the monochrome MFP 105, a polygon mirror1013 receives a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 805, asshown in FIG. 10. The laser beam reaches a photosensitive drum 1017 viamirrors 1014, 1015, 1016 to scan the same, whereby an electrostaticlatent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1017. Theelectrostatic latent mage formed on the photosensitive drum 1017 isvisualized as a toner image by black toner supplied from a developingdevice 1030. This toner image is transferred onto a sheet fed from oneof sheet cassettes 1034, 1035 and a manual feed tray 1036. The sheet fedfrom one of the sheet cassettes 1034, 1035 and the manual feed tray 1036passes between a registration roller pair 1037 to be attracted to atransfer belt 1038 and conveyed by the transfer belt 1038 in timingsynchronous with formation of the toner image on the photosensitive drum1017. After the toner image is transferred onto the sheet, the sheet isseparated from the transfer belt 1038 and then delivered to a fixingdevice 1040. In the fixing device 1040, the toner image on the sheet isfixed to the sheet by being heated under pressure. After having passedthrough the fixing device 1040, the sheet is discharged from the printersection 208 via a switching flapper 1050, or alternatively introducedinto a double-sided conveying path 1071.

The sheet introduced into the double-sided conveying path 1071 isreversed and then conveyed to a double-sided conveying section 1070. Thedouble-sided conveying section 1070 feeds the sheet again in the sametiming as described above. Thus, images can be printed on both sides ofthe sheet.

Next, the arrangement of the display section 210 ill be described withreference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the arrangementof the display section 210.

As shown in FIG. 11, the display section 210 includes an inverse LOGconverter section 1101. The inverse LOG converter section 1101 convertsimage data outputted as CMYK data from the core section 206 to RGB data.A gamma conversion section 1102 performs gamma-conversion of the RGBdata using a lookup table, so as to adapt the RGB data to the colorcharacteristics of a display device 1104 formed e.g. by a CRT (CathodeRay Tube). After the gamma conversion, the image data is stored in amemory 1103, and then an output image corresponding to the image data isdisplayed on the display device 1104. This enables the display device1104 to realize a preview function of previewing an output image forconfirmation or a proof reading function of allowing an operator tocheck whether an image to be outputted is identical to the intendedimage. Further, the display section 210 is also used as an operatingdisplay section, and therefore provided with a plurality of hard keys.The display device 1104 is provided with a touch panel, not shown, onwhich soft keys, not shown, and information for setting modes and so onis displayed based on operation information generated by the PDL section205. Inputs via the soft keys are delivered to the CPU 603 of the PDLsection 205, and the contents of the inputs are stored therein.

Next, a description will be given of network utility software operatingon the computers 103, 102.

In a network interface part (the NIC section 204 and the PDL section205) of the MFP 104 (105), a standardized database called the MIB(Management Information Base) is constructed, and the MFP 104 (105) cancommunicate with the computers 102, 103 on the network 101 based on anetwork management protocol called the SNMP (Simple Network ManagementProtocol). This enables the computers 102, 103 to manage the MFP's 104,105 and other devices and apparatuses, such as scanners, printers andfacsimile machines, interconnected on the network 101.

On the computer 102 (103), software programs called utilities areoperating which enable the computer 102 (103) to exchange requiredinformation with the MFP 104 (105) via the network 101 using the MIBbased on the SNMP.

For example, the use of the MIB makes it possible to detect equipmentinformation indicative of whether or not the finisher section 211(corresponding to the finisher section 106 or 107 in FIG. 1) isconnected to the MFP 104 (105) and status information indicative ofwhether or not printing is currently allowed, as well as to write,change, or confirm the name, installation site, and so forth of the MFP104 (105). In short, the operator of the computer 102 (103) can confirminformation of the MFP 104 (105) connected to the network 101, on thecomputer 102 (103). Further, by distinguishing between the computer 102as a server and the computer 103 as a client, it is possible to imposelimitations on reading/writing of the above-mentioned information.

Thus, the use of the function described above allows the operator of thecomputer 102 (103) to obtain all information about the equipment andstatus of the MFP 104 (105), the settings of the network 101, themanagement and control of the use state, and the history of jobs in theMFP 104 (105), etc. via the computer 102 (103).

Next, processes for adjusting the MFP 104 (105) will be described withreference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example ofmode-specific adjustment items associated with modes of the MFP's 104,105 appearing in FIG. 1.

In the MFP 104 (105), one or more jobs to be executed within apredetermined time period, e.g. one day, are registered in advance. Thejobs are executed in order of registration. Before a first registeredjob is started, processing described below is executed on the MFP 104(105) e.g. in response to a predetermined input (adjustment confirmationinput) by the operator. Upon receiving the operator's predeterminedinput, first, the MFP 104 (105) prepares an adjustment table listingitems of adjustment necessary for execution of the one or moreregistered jobs, based on the information of the jobs, and displays theadjustment table on the display section 210. Then, one of the adjustmentitems in the displayed adjustment table, which should be executed, isselected, and adjustment is executed based on the selected adjustmentitem, followed by writing the contents or details of the executedadjustment in the adjustment table. Further, it is possible to print outthe list of the adjustment items or a specific adjustment item in thedisplayed adjustment table as required.

Each adjustment item which needs to be adjusted for execution of a jobcorresponds to a mechanical part which requires adjustment depending oneach of modes included in the job, and adjustment based on eachadjustment item is automatically executed by the MFP 104 (105). Theadjustment items are specified in advance on a mode-by-mode basis asshown in FIG. 12. The example shown in FIG. 12 is a portion extractedfrom a typical adjustment table, and therefore this is not limitative.The illustrated example includes the adjustment items of clutchadjustment (CL adjustment) and air adjustment for each sheet type.Clutch adjustment is performed according to the type of a sheet becausedifferent types of sheets slide differently when a clutch is engaged ordisengaged. Further, air adjustment is performed according to the typeof a sheet because the feeding of sheets by air requires adjustment ofthe amount of blown air according to the type of a sheet.

Further, different models of apparatuses or devices may requiredifferent adjustment items. In such a case, mode-specific adjustmentitems can be provided on a model-by-model basis.

Next, an adjustment process executed by the image forming apparatusaccording to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 13 to 15. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the adjustment processexecuted by the MFP 104 in FIG. 1. FIG. 14 is a view showing an exampleof a screen displaying an adjustment table, which is displayed in a stepS1207 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a view showingan example of a printing setup screen displayed in a step S1209 of theflowchart shown in FIG. 13. The adjustment process shown by theflowchart in FIG. 13 is not only executed by the MFP 104 but alsosimilarly executed by the MFP 105.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, first in a step S1201,settings of a job (type of an original, a double-sided mode or asingle-side mode, detailed information of a post-processing mode, suchas setting of a stapling mode, numerical values, etc.) entered via thecomputer 102 (103) by the operator are read in. The setting of a job(inputting of settings of a job) can also be performed via the displaysection 210 of the MFP 104 used as the operating display section. Then,in a step S1202, it is determined whether or not the setting of a job iscompleted. If the setting of a job (hereinafter also referred to as “thejob setting”) is not completed, the process returns to the step S1201.When there are a plurality of jobs which need to be set, the steps S1201and S1202 are repeatedly executed, whereby each of the set jobs (data ofsettings thereof) is stored in the memory 604 of the PDL section 205.

When the job setting is completed (YES to S1202), it is determined in astep S1203 whether any of the one or more stored jobs includes thedouble-sided mode. If there is a job including the double-sided mode,adjustment items related to the double-sided mode are tabulated in astep S1204, whereby a double-sided mode adjustment table 1401, describedin detail hereinafter with reference to FIG. 14, is formed. Theadjustment items related to the double-sided mode include the items ofsensor adjustment for sensors in the double-sided conveying path 971 andregistration adjustment in the double-sided conveying section 970, forexample. Then, the process proceeds to a step S1205. On the other hand,if there is no job including the double-sided mode, the process skipsover the step S1204 to the step S1205.

In the step S1205, just as in the step S1203, it is determined whetheror not any of the one or more stored jobs includes the stapling mode. Ifthere is a job including the stapling mode, adjustment items related tothe stapling mode are tabulated in a step S1206, whereby a stapling modeadjustment table 1402, described in detail hereinafter with reference toFIG. 14, is formed. The adjustment items related to the stapling modeinclude the items of staple position adjustment and staple widthadjustment in the case of double staple, for example. Then, the processproceeds to a step S1207. On the other hand, if there is no jobincluding the stapling mode, the process skips over the step S1206 tothe step S1207.

In the step S1207, the respective lists of the adjustment tables 1401,1402 generated in the steps S1204 and S1206 are displayed on the displaysection 210 in response to a predetermined input from the operator, andthe operator selects adjustment items for execution of adjustment, fromthe adjustment tables 1401, 1402. The adjustment tables 1401, 1402 aredisplayed as illustrated in FIG. 14 by way of example. In theillustrated example, there is shown a list display screen showing theadjustment tables 1401, 1402 for the double-sided mode and the staplingmode. The operator carries out an operation for selecting betweenexecution and non-execution of each adjustment (i.e. depression of anassociated soft key) on the screen. In the present example, for thedouble-sided mode, the operator has selected “Not adjust” for aconveyance sensor, “Adjust” for a lateral registration sensor, and“Adjust” for the clutch. Further, for the stapling mode, “Adjust” isselected for each of the staple position and the staple width. When an“Apply” key is depressed, it is judged that selection of the adjustmentitems is completed, and the printing setup screen is displayed.

Then, in a step S1208, it is determined, based on the operator'soperation on the printing setup screen, whether or not the adjustmenttables 1401, 1402 or selected adjustment items are to be printed out.The printing setup screen is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 15 by wayof example. The illustrated example shows a screen which displays theitems, “Adjust” and “Not adjust” set in the step S1207, and on which theoperator can select whether or not the whole list of adjustment items isto be printed out. Further, it is also possible to select “Print” foradjustment items for which “Adjust” has been selected, to therebyinstruct printout of operating procedures of adjustment for theadjustment items or the like.

If it is determined in the step S1208 that the adjustment tables 1401,1402 or selected adjustment items are to be printed out, printout of theadjustment tables 1401, 1402 or the selected adjustment items is carriedout in a step S1209. The printout is executed by the MFP 104 (105)itself. Then, the process proceeds to a step S1210. On the other hand,if it is determined in the step S1208 that the printout is not to beexecuted, the process skips over the step S1209 to the step S1210.

In the step S1210, adjustment operations are executed based on theadjustment items selected in the step 51207. Then, in a step S1211,adjustment data concerning the adjustment items based on which theadjustment operations have been executed are stored and written into theadjustment tables 1401, 1402, followed by terminating the presentprocess.

Next, the arrangement of a stapling mechanism included in the finishersection 106 and adjustment of the mechanism will be described withreference to FIGS. 16 and 17. The arrangement of a stapling mechanismincluded in the finisher section 107 and the adjustment of the mechanismcan be described similarly to those of the finisher section 106, andtherefore a description thereof is omitted. FIGS. 16 and 17 arelongitudinal cross-sectional views showing the arrangement of thestapling mechanism of the finisher section 106.

The finisher section 106 has a single stapler 7 capable of stapling asheet bundle at a plurality of positions thereof while moving in adirection of width of the sheet bundle. The finisher 106 has a frame1351 secured to a body thereof. The frame 1351 is formed with guidegrooves 1352 that guide a first moving base 1356 moving in the directionof width of the sheet bundle. A pulse motor 1353 is disposed on theframe 1351, and the driving force of the pulse motor 1353 is transmittedto the first moving base 1356 via a timing belt 1355 stretched betweenpulleys 1354 a and 1354 b. The first moving base 1356 has guide pins(not shown) engaged with the respective guide grooves 1352. The guidepins enable the first moving base 1356 to move smoothly along the guidegrooves 1352 on the frame 1351 in a direction indicated by an arrow B.On the frame 1351, there is provided a home position sensor 1365 thatdetects the home position of the first moving base 1356. The homeposition sensor 1365 detects a home position flag 1350 of the firstmoving base 1356.

In the illustrated example, the home position of the stapler 7 is set toa position for stapling the left side end of the sheet bundle appearingin FIG. 16, and when the right side end of a sheet bundle appearing inFIG. 17 is to be stapled, the first moving base 1356 is moved with atraveling distance thereof controlled by the number of pulses deliveredfrom a motor driver (not shown) to the pulse motor 1353.

Next, a description will be given of operation of the stapler 7 forstapling a sheet bundle on a tray “b” of a finisher 106.

A second moving base 1357 has four roller bearings 1358, via which it isengaged with guide grooves (not shown) formed on the first moving base1356, for motion in directions indicated by an arrow A. A pulse motor1359 is provided on the first moving base 1356, and the driving forcethereof is transmitted to a link 1361 provided on the first moving base1356 via timing belts 1363, 1364 to rotate the link 1361. The link 1361includes an arm 1362 a and pins 1362 b, and the pins 1362 b are engagedwith the second moving base 1357. Consequently, one rotation of the link1361 causes the second moving base 1357 to perform one reciprocatingmotion in the directions A. Further, one stroke of the link 1361 isadjusted to the distance from a retreat position of the stapler 7 to aclinch position of the same, so that one rotation of the link 1361enables the stapler 7 to perform a series of operations from stapling toretreat. Therefore, it is possible to easily staple a sheet bundle oneach bin b at two positions by the single stapler 7.

When the staple position adjustment and the staple width adjustment areselected as adjustment items for the stapling mechanism constructed asabove, the number of motor pulses is automatically adjusted based ondata set for the adjustment items, to thereby adjust the staple positionand staple width.

Next, the arrangement of a trimmer and adjustment of the trimmer will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. FIGS. 18 and 19 arelongitudinal cross-sectional views schematically showing the arrangementof the trimmer.

The finisher section 106 (107) has a saddle stitching function. Thetrimmer 1600 shown in FIG. 18 is used to cut and trim the side ends of asheet bundle saddle-stitched by the finisher section 106 (107). Thetrimmer 1600 is connected to the finisher section 106 (107) to receive asheet bundle saddle-stitched by the finisher section 106 (107).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, a saddle-stitched sheet bundle1622 is conveyed into the trimmer 1600 via an inlet roller pair 1602.The sheet bundle 1622 is further conveyed by conveying rollers andconveying roller pairs 1603, 1605, 1606, 1611, 1612 until the leadingend of the sheet bundle 1622 abuts on a stopper 1614. When the sheetbundle 1622 passes an inlet sensor 1604, a pusher 1619 for dischargingthe sheet bundle 1622 is retracted to a predetermined position.

After the leading end of the sheet bundle 1622 abuts on the stopper1614, to uniformly cut and trim the trailing end of the sheet bundle1622, a presser plate 1609 is lowered, as shown in FIG. 19, and drivenrollers 1608, 1610 apply pressure to the sheet bundle 1622 via thepresser plate 1609 to thereby cause the same to be fixed in position.Then, a cutter 1607 is lowered toward the sheet bundle 1622 and cuts thetrailing end of the sheet bundle 1622 by a predetermined cutting amount(i.e. at a predetermined cutting position). After the cutting operation,the stopper 1614 is retreated downward, and the sheet bundle 1622 isconveyed by the conveying rollers 1611, 1612 and then discharged into aspace between a holder plate 1618 and a pusher plate 1619 by dischargerollers 1616, 1615, 1617. Thereafter, the holder plate 1618 is lowered,and in a manner interlocked with the motion of the holder plate 1618,the pusher plate 1619 pushes and discharges the sheet bundle 1622 towardsheet bundles already stacked.

Adjustment items for the trimmer 1600 include the cutting amount asdescribed above. Normally, the cutting amount is set according to asheet type, and therefore the stopper 1614 is shifted to a positioncorresponding to a set cutting amount.

When a trimmer of the above-mentioned kind is connected to the imageforming apparatus, a step of determining whether or not there is a jobincluding a trimmer mode and a step of generating a trimmer modeadjustment table may be added to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 tothereby enable selection and setting of adjustment items for the trimmermode.

Similarly, in adjustment in the case where there is a job including thedouble-sided mode, the sensor adjustment, the clutch adjustment, thelateral registration position adjustment, etc. in the double-sidedconveying section 970 (1070) of the MFP 104 (105) are carried out.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when there are one ormore jobs to be executed within a predetermined time period, theoperator is informed of the items of adjustment necessary for each job,and adjustment is carried out based on adjustment items selected by theoperator. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently perform adjustmentfor items which need to be adjusted before execution of a job, wherebydowntime can be reduced.

Although in the present embodiment, the case where the MFP 104 (105)automatically executes adjustment based on selected adjustment items hasbeen described, this is not limitative, but even when an adjustment itemis associated with a mechanical part which requires manual adjustment,for example, it is possible to at least inform the operator of theadjustment item. In this case, the operator himself/herself has to carryout the adjustment, but it can be avoided that the operator fails tocarry out the adjustment but carries out an extra operation, such asreadjustment during execution of a job.

Further, although in the present embodiment, adjustment items aredisplayed and selected in each of the MFP's 104, 105, a screen forselecting adjustment items for the MFP's 104, 105 may be displayed onthe computer 102 as a server, for example. In this case, the computer102 may detect a mode or modes necessary for execution of eachregistered job through communication with the MFP's 104, 105 anddisplays the screen for selecting adjustment items for the MFP's 104,105, and in such a case, it is preferred that the computer 102 sends theMFP's 104, 105 information indicative of the selected adjustment items,thereby providing control such that the MFP's 104, 105 performadjustment based on the selected adjustment items. This makes itpossible to obtain the same advantageous effects as describedhereinabove.

Further, the computer 102 may register and manage jobs to be executed bythe MFP 104 (105), and sequentially transfer the jobs to the MFP 104(105). In this case, the same processing as described hereinabove isexecuted.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 20 is a block diagramshowing the arrangement of an image forming system according to thesecond embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, the image forming system according to the secondembodiment includes a server 3101, an image forming apparatus 3102 as amonochrome digital copying machine, and an image forming apparatus 3103as a color digital copying machine. The server 3101 is interconnected toeach of the image forming apparatuses 3102, 3103 through a network 3106.The server 3101 and the image forming apparatuses 3102, 3103 may beconnected by hardware in place of the network 3106.

The server 3101 receives image print jobs inputted via various media,such as MO's and CD's, and the Internet, and stores these in a storagedevice, such as a hard disk drive. At this time, priorities ofprocessing are assigned to the respective image print jobs, anddestinations of transfer of the image print jobs are assigned to theimage forming apparatuses. Further, the server 3101 is capable ofgrasping job execution states, condition settings, and so forth of theimage forming apparatuses 3102, 3103 through communication therewith,and performing centralized control of the image forming apparatuses3102, 3103.

In the present embodiment, for maintenance by an operator, judging fromthe contents of all image print jobs held in the server 3101 forexecution, the server 3101 grasps the maintenance history and currentconditions of the image forming apparatus 3102 (3103) and, as describedin detail hereinafter, deactivate display of maintenance items which donot require execution of maintenance at present. This makes it possiblefor the operator to skip unnecessary items in a maintenance work flow.

First, the arrangement of the server 3101 will be described withreference to FIG. 56. FIG. 56 is a block diagram showing the arrangementof the server 3101 appearing in FIG. 20.

As shown in FIG. 56, the server 3101 is comprised of a CPU 3111, a ROM3112 storing a BIOS, a RAM 3113 that provides a work area for the CPU3111, a LAN I/F (interface) 3114 for connection to the network 3106, amodem 3115 for connection to the Internet, an input I/F 3116 to whichare connected a mouse 3117 and a keyboard 3118, a disk driver 3119 fordriving a hard disk (HD) 3120, a media I/F 3121 for use in mounting aremovable medium, such as an MO or a CD, and a display driver 3122 fordriving a display 3123 implemented by a liquid crystal display. Thedisplay 3123 has a touch panel attached to a screen thereof. Therefore,it is possible to display soft keys on the screen of the display 3123,and various inputs and settings can be executed using the soft keys.

Next, the arrangement of the image forming apparatus 3102 and that ofthe image forming apparatus 3103 will be described with reference toFIGS. 57 to 61. FIG. 57 is a block diagram showing the arrangement ofthe image forming apparatus 3102 appearing in FIG. 20. FIG. 58 is aperspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus3102, while FIG. 59 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showingdetails of the internal construction of the same. FIG. 60 is aperspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus3103 appearing in FIG. 20, while FIG. 61 is a longitudinalcross-sectional view showing details of the internal construction of thesame.

As shown in FIG. 57, the image forming apparatus 3102 includes a scannersection 3301 that reads an image, an IP (image processing) section 3302that processes the image read by the scanner section 3301, a NIC section3304 that receives and transmits image data and apparatus information,using the network 3106, a PDL section 3305 that develops PDL data sentfrom the server 3101 into an image signal, and a core section 3306 thatstores the image signal and determines a path for the signal.

Image data outputted from the core section 3306 is delivered via a PWM(Pulse Width Modulation) section 3307 to a printer section 3308 forforming an image. In the printer section 3308, an image is printed on asheet based on the image data, and the sheet is outputted.

Further, connected to the core section 3306 is an operating section 3309including a liquid crystal display panel with a touch panel, whichdisplays operation information outputted via the core section 3306,etc., and various operating keys for use in mode setting, etc. In thepresent embodiment, only settings associated with a copying operationwill be described as an example of settings inputted via the operatingsection 3309, and descriptions of the other settings are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 58, the image forming apparatus 3102 is equipped withan original feeder 4001, and left and right decks 4033, 4032 andcassettes 4034, 4035, which contain sheets. Further, on the front faceof the apparatus, there is mounted a front cover 4007 that is opened forjam recovery or component replacement/adjustment. On the right side faceof the apparatus, there are mounted an original discharge tray 4002, amanual feed tray 4003, an upper-stage vertical path cover 4004, alower-stage vertical path cover 4005 and a waste toner box/drumprotecting sheet pocket 4006. Further, on the top of the apparatus,there is disposed an operating section 4008 (corresponding to theoperating section 3309 in FIG. 57).

Next, a description will be given of the internal construction of theimage forming apparatus 3102. Here, the mechanical construction of theprinter section 3308 will be described. As shown in FIG. 59, the imageforming apparatus 3102 includes a photosensitive drum 4017 on which anelectrostatic latent image is formed by scanning of a laser beam emittedfrom a CCD unit 4010. Around the photosensitive drum 4017, there arearranged a primary electrostatic charger 4018, a developing device 4030,a transfer device 4031, and a cleaner section 4019. The electrostaticlatent image formed on the photosensitive drum 4017 is visualized as atoner image by black toner supplied from the developing device 4030.Toner to be supplied by the developing device 4030 is contained in atoner cartridge 4030 a.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 4017 is transferred by thetransfer device 4031 onto a sheet fed from one of the left and rightdecks 4033, 4032, the cassettes 4034, 4035, and the manual feed tray4003. The sheet fed from one of the sheet cassettes 4034, 4035 and themanual feed tray 4003 is sent into space between the photosensitive drum4017 and the transfer device 4031 in synchronism with formation of thetoner image.

After the toner image is transferred onto the sheet, the sheet isconveyed to a fixing device 4040 by a conveyor belt 4020. In the fixingdevice 4040, the toner image on the sheet is thermally fixed to thesheet by being heated under pressure. The fixing device 4040 includes afixing roller 4040 a and a pressure roller 4040 b. The fixing roller4040 a incorporates a heater (not shown) for controlling the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 4040 a to a predetermined temperature,and the surface temperature of the fixing roller 4040 a is detected byfixing temperature detecting means (not shown) implemented by a mainthermistor and a sub thermistor. The heater is comprised of a mainheater and a sub heater, and fixing temperature control is performed byusing the main and sub heaters. In the fixing temperature control, it isdetermined, depending on the result of detection by the fixingtemperature detecting means, that only the main heater is to be used,that only the sub heater is to be used, or that both of them are to beused, and based on the determination, one or both of the heaters areenergized. The amount of AC power to be supplied to each of the heatersis controlled so as to perform the fixing temperature control in afine-grained manner. The control of the amount of AC power to besupplied is performed by causing an AC driver having a PWM function tochange a threshold value of AC current as AC input.

After having passed through the fixing device 4040, the sheet isdischarged from the printer section 3308 via a switching flapper 4050,or alternatively introduced into a double-sided conveying path 4071. Thesheet introduced into the double-sided conveying path 4071 is reversedand then conveyed to a double-sided conveying section 4070. Thedouble-sided conveying section 4070 feeds the sheet again inpredetermined timing. Thus, images can be formed on both sides of thesheet.

Next, a description will be given of the image forming apparatus 3103.It should be noted that the arrangement of blocks of the image formingapparatus 3103 is basically the same as to that of blocks of the imageforming apparatus 3102 described hereinabove, and therefore adescription thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 60, the image forming apparatus 3103 has cassettes 934,935 and a paper deck 951 each containing sheets, mounted thereon. On thefront face of the apparatus, there are provided a left-side front cover904 and a right-side front cover 903, and on the right side face of theapparatus, there is provided a multi-feeder section 936. Further, on thetop of the apparatus, there are arranged an operating section 905 and ahopper lid 901 fitted on a toner replenishing port (not shown). In thepresent embodiment, it is assumed that just as in the image formingapparatus 3102, the operating section 905 is only used for setting for acopying operation, but not for setting the other modes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 61, the internal construction of the imageforming apparatus 3103 is the same as that shown in FIG. 9 except thatthe paper deck 951 is mounted, and therefore a description of theinternal construction of the image forming apparatus 3103 is omitted.

Next, an operation screen displaying process executed on the display3123 of the server 3101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to55.

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of an initial screen displayed onthe display 3123 of the server 3101 appearing in FIG. 20. When a softkey displayed on the screen 3201 of the display 3123 is touched(depressed), corresponding information is inputted. On the initialscreen, representative items of a work flow for an operator aredisplayed, and at the same time, current ambient temperature andhumidity as well as date and time are also displayed. The ambienttemperature and humidity are detected by sensors (not shown) disposed inthe vicinity of the image forming apparatus 3102 (3103). The currentdate and time is outputted from a built-in clock.

The work flow for the operator in the initial screen will be describedwith reference to FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure ofoperations for the work flow for an operator of the image forming systemin FIG. 20. The operations are executed by the server 3101, based on aprogram stored in the hard disk 3120.

First in a step S101, it is determined whether or not data registrationand job registration are completed. An image print job is inputted bydata registration. Data registration and job registration are executed,respectively, on a data registration menu screen and a job registrationmenu screen, each of which will be described in detail hereinafter. Inthe illustrated example of FIG. 22, data registration is completed, andin this case, an arrow from “Data registration” is filled in with black,and the other arrows are hollow. The operator understands from thisdisplay of the arrows on the initial screen in FIG. 22 that the step ofjob registration is to be carried out next.

If data registration and job registration are completed in the stepS101, it is determined in a step S102 whether or not a maintenance keyhas been depressed. The maintenance key mentioned here is a displayedportion of “Maintenance” in FIG. 22. When this displayed position isdepressed, the screen is switched to a display of maintenance items,whereby a maintenance process is allowed to be executed. At this time,an arrow between a job registration key (“Job registration”) and themaintenance key is filled in with black.

If it is determined in the step S102 that the maintenance key has beendepressed, the maintenance process, described in detail hereinafter, isexecuted in a step S103, followed by the process proceeding to a stepS104. At this time, an arrow between the maintenance key and a job startkey (“Job Start”) is filled in with black. In the step S104, it isdetermined whether or not the maintenance key has been depressed again.If the maintenance key has been depressed again, the process returns tothe step S103. On the other hand, if the maintenance key has not beendepressed, the process proceeds to a step S105, wherein it is determinedwhether or not the data registration key or the job registration key hasbeen depressed. If the data registration key or the job registration keyhas been depressed, the process returns to the step S101.

If it is determined in the step S105 that neither the data registrationkey nor the job registration key has been depressed, it is determined ina step S106 whether or not the job start key has been depressed. If thejob start key has not been depressed, the process returns to the stepS104. On the other hand, if the job start key has been depressed, theprocess proceeds to a step S107, wherein the server 3101 transmits dataof image print jobs to the image forming apparatus 3103 and the imageforming apparatus 3102, according to the contents of the jobs registeredin the step S101, to cause the image forming apparatus 3103 and theimage forming apparatus 3102 to perform an image forming operation.

Next, the maintenance process executed in the step S103 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 23 to 27B. FIG. 23 is a view showingan example of a screen displaying maintenance items for the imageforming apparatus 3103 appearing in FIG. 20. FIG. 24 is a view showingan example of a screen displaying maintenance items for the imageforming apparatus 3102 appearing in FIG. 20. FIG. 25 is a view showingan example of a screen for configuring settings of an adjustmentsequence for the image forming apparatus 3103. FIG. 26 is a view showingview showing an example of a screen for configuring an adjustmentsequence for the image forming apparatus 3102. FIGS. 27A and 27B areflowchart showing the maintenance process executed in the step S103 inFIG. 21.

When the maintenance key is depressed on the initial screen in FIG. 22,the initial screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 23. Further,when another machine key (“Other machine”) is depressed on the screen inFIG. 23, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 24. When anadjustment sequence key (“Adjustment sequence”) is depressed on thescreen in FIG. 23, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG.25. On the screen in FIG. 25, it is possible to change settings ofmaintenance items involving an adjustment sequence. The adjustment ofthe adjustment sequence and a process for determining whether eachassociated key should be displayed in black on a white background(hereinafter referred to as “black on white”) or shaded in gray(hereinafter referred to as “shaded”) will be described hereinafter.

When an adjustment sequence key (“Adjustment sequence”) is depressed onthe screen in FIG. 24, the screen is switched to the screen shown inFIG. 26. Switching between the screen in FIG. 25 and the screen in FIG.26 is performed by depressing another machine key (“Other machine”) onthe screen in FIG. 25. When the screen in FIG. 25 is to be switched backto the screen in FIG. 23, a return key (“Return”) is depressed on thescreen in FIG. 25. Similarly, when the screen in FIG. 26 is to beswitched back to the screen in FIG. 24, a return key is depressed on thescreen in FIG. 26. On the screen in FIG. 25, the adjustment items of“Down sequence adjustment” and “Thick paper mode adjustment” (i.e. adown sequence adjustment key and a thick paper mode adjustment key) areshaded, which means that these items do not require adjustment. Sincethe adjustment items on the screen in FIG. 25 are all shaded, theadjustment sequence key on the screen in FIG. 23 is also shaded.

Differently from the display on the screen in FIG. 25, when all theadjustment items are displayed in black on white as shown on the screenin FIG. 26, it is necessary to perform adjustment based on all theadjustment items, and upon completion of the adjustment, the adjustmentitems become all shaded. When the adjustment items on the screen in FIG.26 are all shaded due to completion of the adjustment based thereon, theadjustment sequence key on the screen in FIG. 24 is also shaded.Similarly, a replacement/cleaning/replenishment key(“Replacement/cleaning/replenishment”) and a job sequence key (“Jobsequence”) on the screen in each of FIGS. 23 and 24 are also shadedafter completion of respective adjustments. The adjustment based on theitems of the replacement/cleaning/replenishment and the job sequence,and a determination as to whether each key associated therewith shouldbe displayed in black on white or shaded will be described hereinafter.Insofar as the display of the other machine key is concerned, when allthe items on the screen in FIG. 25 or 26 are shaded, an other machinekey displayed on the associated screen is shaded.

A description will be given of the maintenance process based on thescreen specifications described above.

In the maintenance process, as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, first, in astep S201, on a currently displayed maintenance screen (the screen inFIG. 23 or 24), the item keys (the adjustment sequence key, thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment key, the job sequence key) are allshaded. This maintenance screen is initially a screen displayed inresponse to depression of the maintenance key in the step S102, and thedefault screen may be the screen in FIG. 23 or the screen in FIG. 24.

Then, in a step S202, the adjustment sequence key is displayed in blackon white if there is an item to be displayed in black on white on any ofthe internal hierarchical screens of the adjustment sequence. Theinternal hierarchical screens of the adjustment sequence will bedescribed in detail hereinafter. Then, in a step S203, thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment key is displayed in black on whitewhen there is an item to be displayed in black on white on any of theinternal hierarchical screens of the replacement/cleaning/replenishment.The internal hierarchical screens of thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment will be described in detailhereinafter. Further, in a step S204, the job sequence key is displayedin black on white when there is an item to be displayed in black onwhite on any of the internal hierarchical screens of the job sequence.The internal hierarchical screens of the job sequence will be describedin detail hereinafter.

Then, in a step S205, it is determined whether or not any of the itemkeys (the adjustment sequence key, thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment key, the job sequence key) on thecurrently displayed maintenance screen is displayed in black on white.If there is any displayed in black on white, it is determined in a stepS206 whether or not the adjustment sequence key is displayed in black onwhite. If the adjustment sequence key is displayed in black on white,the process proceeds to a step S207, wherein completion of adjustmentbased on an item displayed in black on white on the associated internalhierarchical screen displayed by depressing the adjustment sequence keyis awaited. Then, after the adjustment based on the item displayed inblack on white on the internal hierarchical screen is completed, theprocess proceeds to a step S208. If it is determined in the step S206that the adjustment sequence key is not displayed in black on white, theprocess skips over the step S207 to the step S208.

In the step S208, it is determined whether or not thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment key is displayed in black on white.If the replacement/cleaning/replenishment key is displayed in black onwhite, the process proceeds to a step S209, wherein completion ofadjustment based on an item displayed in black on white on an internalhierarchical screen displayed by depressing thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment key is awaited. Then, when theadjustment based on the item displayed in black on white on the internalhierarchical screen is completed, the process proceeds to a step S210.If it is determined in the step S208 that thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment key is not displayed in black onwhite, the process skips over the step S209 to the step S210.

In the step S210, it is determined whether or not the job sequence keyis displayed in black on white. If the job sequence key is displayed inblack on white, the process proceeds to a step S211, wherein completionof adjustment based on an item displayed in black on white on aninternal hierarchical screen displayed by depressing the job sequencekey is awaited. Then, when the adjustment based on the item displayed inblack on white on the internal hierarchical screen is completed, theprocess proceeds to a step S212. If it is determined in the step S210that the job sequence key is not displayed in black on white, theprocess skips over the step S211 to the step S212.

In the step S212, it is determined whether or not the other machine keyis displayed in black on white. If the other machine key is displayed inblack on white, the process proceeds to a step S213, wherein depressionof the other machine key is awaited. When the other machine key isdepressed, the process returns to the step S201, wherein a maintenancescreen associated with another machine designated by the depression ofthe other machine key is displayed. If it is determined in the step S212that the other machine key is not displayed in black on white, theprocess proceeds to a step S214, wherein depression of a return key isawaited. When the return key is depressed, the present process isterminated, and the process returns to the step S104 in FIG. 21.

If there is no item key displayed in black on white in the step S205,the process skips over the steps S206 to S211 to the step S212.

As described above, when it is determined that there is no item keydisplayed in black on white on the currently displayed maintenancescreen, or when it is determined in the steps S206, S208, S210 thatthere is no item key displayed in black on white, the process skips overto the respective corresponding steps therefore, the operator candistinguish between items shaded thereby indicating no requirement ofmaintenance and items displayed in black on white thereby indicatingrequirement of maintenance. This establishes a work flow in whichmaintenance is executed based on only the items indicating requirementof maintenance.

Next, the aforementioned data registration menu screen will be describedwith reference to FIG. 28. FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of thedata registration menu screen displayed on the sever 3101 appearing inFIG. 20.

On the data registration menu screen, registrable print job data itemsare displayed in respective rows of the menu. A column “A” of the menushows methods of supply of data from the operator or operator'scustomer. “NW” indicates that the data was supplied via the Internet.“CD” indicates that the data was supplied from a CD medium. “MO”indicates that the data was supplied from a MO medium. A column “B”shows sheet types designated for image formation. Each data itemdisplayed here is based on the supplied data. A column “C” shows thenumbers of sheets or pages to be printed based on image print job data.A column “D” shows the numbers of copies. A column “E” showsdesignations of color printing and monochrome printing. “Color”represents color printing, and “BW” represents monochrome printing. Acolumn “F” shows designations of image qualities in print modes, whichare selected from low image quality, high image quality, and very highimage quality is specified. The image quality of a print becomes higherin the order of low image quality, high image quality, and very highimage quality.

On the data registration menu screen described above, when a portiondisplaying the row number of print job data is depressed and then aregistration key (“Registration”) is depressed, the print job data thusselected is stored in the hard disk (HD) 3120. Then, the registered(stored) print job data is deleted from the display. Assuming, forexample, that print job data in the first row is registered, the printjob data is deleted from the first row, and print job data in the secondrow shifts to the first row. When the data registration menu screencontains pieces of print job data in more than eight rows, a next pagekey (“Next Page”) is displayed in black on white, which enables thepresent screen to be switched to a screen displaying pieces of print jobdata in the ninth row et seq. In the illustrated example, there aredisplayed less than nine pieces of print job data, and therefore thenext page key is shaded.

Registration of print job data stored by depressing the registration keyin FIG. 28 is executed by depressing the job registration key on thescreen in FIG. 22, as described hereinabove. When the job registrationkey is depressed, the screen shown in FIG. 22 shifts to the screen shownin FIG. 29.

Next, job registration will be described with reference to FIG. 29. FIG.29 is a view showing an example of a job registration menu screendisplayed on the server 3101 appearing in FIG. 20.

On the job registration menu screen shown in FIG. 29, in a column “A” ofthe menu, there are entered designation data of sheet types displayed inthe column “B” on the screen in FIG. 28. Similarly, in a column “B”,there are entered designation data in the column “C” in FIG. 28. In acolumn “C”, there are entered the designation data in the column “D” inFIG. 28. In a column “D”, there are entered designation data in thecolumn “E” in FIG. 28. In a column “E”, there are entered, for example,items of information (e.g. model name CLC5000) for identifying the imageforming apparatus 3103 when “Color” is designated by associated data inthe column “D”, and for example, items of information (e.g. model nameiR105) for identifying the image forming apparatus 3102 when “BW” isdesignated by associated data in the column “D”. In the arrangement ofthe present image forming system, only a single color digital copyingmachine and a single monochrome digital copying machine are connected,and therefor data in the E column is automatically set based ondesignation data in the column “D”. However, when the image formingsystem has a plurality of color digital copying machines and a pluralityof monochrome digital copying machines connected thereto, data in the Ecolumn is designated by an operator. In a column “F”, there are entereddesignation data in the column “F” in FIG. 28.

In the above described job registration menu screen, print job data isadded in the eighth row due to registration thereof on the screen shownin FIG. 28, as described above. The server 3101 transmits the print jobdata in the job registration menu in the order of the row numbers to theimage forming apparatus 3103 (color digital copying machine CLC5000) andthe image forming apparatus 3102 (monochrome digital copying machineiR105) to cause them to perform image forming operations. Print job dataof different row numbers are basically transmitted in the order of therow numbers, but operations for transmitting print job data to thedifferent image forming apparatuses are performed simultaneously.

In the illustrated example in FIG. 29, print job data of the row numbers1 and 2 are assigned to the different image forming apparatuses, andtherefore the print job data are transmitted simultaneously. Thesequence of print job data can be changed by depressing the positions ofthe two row numbers on the screen and then depressing a switch key(“Switch”).

When there are print job data in more than eleven rows on the jobregistration menu screen, a next page key (“Next Page”) is displayed inblack on white, so that the present screen can be switched to a screendisplaying print job data in the twelfth row et seq. In the illustratedexample of the screen, there are displayed print job data in less thantwelve rows, and therefore the next page key is shaded.

The registration of print jobs shown in the job registration menu iscarried out by depressing a registration key (“Registration”) shown onthis registration menu screen. This makes affirmative (Yes) the answerto the question of the step S101 in FIG. 21.

Next, maintenance items will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

When a status confirmation key (“Status confirmation”) is depressed oneach of the maintenance item screen for the image forming apparatus 3103in FIG. 23 and the maintenance item screen for the image formingapparatus 3102 in FIG. 24, the screen is switched to a screen displayingdetails of the current registration (settings) by the adjustmentsequence key, the replacement/cleaning/replenishment key, and the jobsequence key. When the status confirmation key is depressed on thescreen in FIG. 23, the screen is switch to a screen shown in FIG. 30,while when the status confirmation key is depressed on the screen inFIG. 24, the screen is switch to a screen shown in FIG. 31. Further,when a return key (“Return”) is depressed on each of the screens inFIGS. 23, 24, the screen is switched back to the screen in FIG. 22 atthe hierarchically higher level.

FIG. 30 is a view showing an example of an apparatus status displayscreen showing a status of the image forming apparatus 3103 appearing inFIG. 20, and FIG. 31 is a view showing an example of an apparatus statusdisplay screen showing a status of the image forming apparatus 3102appearing in FIG. 20. On each of the status display screens in FIGS. 30,31, there are displayed a sheet feed cassette sheet key (“Feed cassettesheet”), a time-change component key (“Time-change component”), aconsumables key (“Consumables”), a counter consumables key (“Counterconsumables”), a down sequence key (“Down sequence”), and a thick papersequence key (“Thick paper sequence). Switching between the screens inFIGS. 30, 31 is performed by depressing respective other machine keys onthe screens. Further, when a return key (“Return”) is depressed on eachof the screens in FIGS. 30, 31, the screen is switched back to thescreen in FIG. 23 or 24 at the hierarchically higher level.

When the sheet feed cassette sheet key is depressed on the screen inFIG. 30, the screen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 32. Similarly,when the sheet feed cassette sheet key is depressed on the screen inFIG. 31, the screen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 33.

FIG. 32 is a view showing an example of a screen displaying informationof cassette-by-cassette settings of sheets set in sheet feed cassettesof the image forming apparatus 3102 appearing in FIG. 20, and FIG. 33 isa view showing an example of a screen displaying information ofcassette-by-cassette settings of sheets set in sheet feed cassettes ofthe image forming apparatus 3103 appearing in FIG. 20. Switching betweenthe screens in FIGS. 32, 33 is performed by depressing other machinekeys on the respective screens, similarly to switching between the otherscreens. Further, when a return key (“Return”) is depressed on each ofthe screens in FIGS. 32, 33, the screen is switched back to the screenin FIG. 30 or 31 at the hierarchically higher level.

On each of the screens in FIGS. 32, 33, a column “A” shows the types ofsheets set on the sheet feed cassettes, while a column “B” shows thesizes of the sheets. Columns C and D show the numbers of sheetscurrently set and the maximum numbers of sheets that can be set on thesheet feed cassettes, respectively. When it is determined from an outputof sensor means (not shown) that the maximum number of sheets has beenset by sheet replenishment (or replacement), the number of the sheets inthe column “C” becomes equal to the maximum number in the column “D”.

When the time-change component key is depressed on the screen shown inFIG. 30, the screen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 34. Similarly,when the time-change component key is depressed on the screen shown inFIG. 31, the screen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 35. FIG. 34 isa view showing an example of the screen displaying a time-changecomponent status of the image forming apparatus 3103 appearing in FIG.20, and FIG. 35 is a view showing an example of the screen displaying atime-change component status of the image forming apparatus 3102 in FIG.20. In each of the screens in FIGS. 34 and 35, registered components areentered in respective rows. A column “A” shows part names. A column “B”shows current component operation count values associated with therespective registered components. A column “C” shows count values at orabove which associated components require cleaning. A column “D” showscount values at or above which associated components requirereplacement. A column “E” shows count values at or above whichassociated components require adjustment. A column “F” shows servicetime periods before replacement. A column “G” shows dates on whichcomponent replacement was performed (date on which the apparatus wasnewly installed). The component-by-component operation count valuedisplayed in each row is incremented whenever image formation isperformed and cleared to zero when the associated component is replacedby a new one. Switching between the screens in FIGS. 34, 35 is performedby depressing other machine keys on the respective screens. Further,when a return key (“Return”) is depressed on each of the screens inFIGS. 34, 35, the screen is switched back to the screen in FIG. 30 or 31at the hierarchically higher level.

Among the time-change components displayed on the screen in FIG. 34(i.e. components of the image forming apparatus 3103 in FIG. 61),primary electrostatic charge wires, for example, are provided in primaryelectrostatic chargers 917 a, 921 a, 925 a, 929 a. The primaryelectrostatic charge wires are replaced when the current count value(47000 in the illustrated example) reaches the count value (50000) at orabove which the wires require replacement. The other components in FIG.34 are also commonly provided parts, and therefore detailed descriptionthereof is omitted.

Among the time-change components displayed on the screen in FIG. 35(i.e. components of the image forming apparatus 3102 in FIG. 59), athermistor and a thermo SW unit, for example, are provided in the fixingdevice 4040. The thermistor and thermo SW unit are each replaced whenthe current count value (2100 in the illustrated example) reaches thecount value (500000 or 1000000) at or above which they requirereplacement. Further, an ozone filter represents three kinds of ozonefilters disposed at respective locations shown in FIG. 62. The othercomponents in FIG. 35 are also commonly provided parts, and thereforedetailed description thereof is omitted.

When the consumables key is depressed on the screen in FIG. 30, thescreen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 36. Similarly, when theconsumables key is depressed on the screen in FIG. 31, the screen isswitched to a screen shown in FIG. 38.

FIGS. 36 and 37 are views showing examples of a screen displaying astatus of consumables of the mage forming apparatus 3103 appearing inFIG. 20, while FIGS. 38 and 39 views showing examples of a screendisplaying a status of consumables of the mage forming apparatus 3102appearing in FIG. 20. On the screen in FIG. 36 or 38, when the number ofcomponents registered in respective rows exceeds a predetermined number(i.e. the number of items in the table), a next page key (“Next page”)is depressed to shift the screen to a screen shown in FIG. 37 or 39,wherein the other components are displayed. On the other hand, when itis necessary to display components on the previous page on the screen inFIG. 37 or 39, a previous page key (“Previous page”) is depressed toswitch the screen back to the screen in FIG. 36 or 38. Switching betweenthe screens in FIGS. 36, 37 and the screens in FIGS. 38, 39 is performedby depressing other machine keys on the respective screens. Further,when a return key (“Return”) is depressed on each of the screens inFIGS. 36, 37, 38, 39, the screen is switched back to the screen in FIG.30 or 31 at the hierarchically higher level.

In each of the screens in FIGS. 36, 37, 38, 39, registered componentsare displayed in respective rows. A column “A” shows part names. Acolumn “B” shows current component operation count values associatedwith the respective registered components. A column “C” shows countvalues at or above which associated components require cleaning. Acolumn “D” shows count values at or above which associated componentsrequire replacement. A column “E” shows count values at or above whichassociated components require adjustment. A column “F” shows servicetime periods before component replacement. A column “G” shows dates onwhich component replacement was performed (date on which the apparatuswas newly installed). The component-by-component operation count valuedisplayed in each row is incremented whenever image formation isperformed and cleared to zero when the associated component is replacedby a new one.

Among the consumables displayed on the screens in FIGS. 36 and 37 (i.e.components of the image forming apparatus 3103), a start developer, forexample, is replenished to the developing devices 930, 931, 932, 933.Further, the item of “Transfer belt CLNWEB” represents a cleaning webfor the transfer belt 938, and the item of “Transfer belt” representsthe transfer belt 938. The other components in FIGS. 36, 37 are alsocommonly provided parts, and therefore detailed description thereof isomitted.

Among the consumables displayed on the screens in FIGS. 38 and 39 (i.e.components of the image forming apparatus 3102), the item of “Developingdevice”, for example, represents a developing cylinder and a set ofroller bearings included in the developing device 4030. Further, theitem of “Primary electrostatic charger” represents the primaryelectrostatic charger 4018. The other components shown in FIGS. 38, 39are also commonly provided parts, and therefore detailed descriptionthereof is omitted.

When the counter consumables key is depressed on the screen in FIG. 30,the screen is switched to a screen in FIG. 40. Similarly, when thecounter consumables key is depressed on the screen in FIG. 31, thescreen is switched to a screen in FIG. 41. FIG. 40 is a view showing anexample of the screen displaying a status of software counterconsumables of the mage forming apparatus 3103 appearing in FIG. 20, andFIG. 41 is a view showing an example of the screen displaying a statusof software counter consumables of the mage forming apparatus 3102appearing in FIG. 20.

In each of the screens in FIGS. 40, 41, registered components aredisplayed in respective rows. A column “A” shows part names. A column“B” shows current component operation count values associated with therespective registered components. A column “C” shows count values at orabove which associated components require cleaning. A column “D” showscount values at or above which associated components requirereplacement. A column “E” shows count values at or above whichassociated components require adjustment. A column “F” shows servicetime periods before component replacement. A column “G” shows dates onwhich component replacement was performed (date on which the apparatuswas newly installed). The component-by-component operation count valuedisplayed in each row is incremented whenever image formation isperformed provided that the item corresponds to a sheet feed cassettefrom which sheets are fed for image formation (in the double-sided mode,only the count value in the item of “Double-sided sheet feed roller” isincremented whenever image formation is performed on a second side ofeach sheet), and cleared to zero when the associated component isreplaced by a new one. Switching between the screens in FIGS. 40, 41 isperformed by depressing other machine keys on the respective screens.Further, when a return key (“Return”) is depressed on each of thescreens in FIGS. 40, 41, the screen is switched back to the screen inFIG. 30 or 31 at the hierarchically higher level.

When the down sequence key is depressed on the screen in FIG. 30, thescreen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 42, for configuring a downsequence. Similarly, when the down sequence key is depressed on thescreen in FIG. 31, the screen is switched to a screen in FIG. 43, forconfiguring a down sequence. FIG. 42 is a view showing an example of thescreen for configuring a down sequence for the image forming apparatus3103 appearing in FIG. 20, and FIG. 43 is a view showing an example ofthe screen for configuring a down sequence for the image formingapparatus 3102 appearing in FIG. 20.

On each of the screens in FIGS. 42 and 43, registered modes aredisplayed in respective rows. A column “A” shows print mode names. Acolumn “B” shows current fixing temperature limiter values. A column “C”shows ambient temperature values detected when the associated limitervalues displayed in the column “B” are set respectively (initial valuesare those detected at the time of installation of the apparatus). Acolumn “D” shows ambient humidity values detected when the associatedlimiter values displayed in the column “B” are set respectively (initialvalues are those detected at the time of installation of the apparatus).A column “E” shows allowable temperature differences from the currentambient temperature, and a column “F” shows allowable humiditydifferences from the current ambient humidity. The print mode names inthe column “A” correspond to the print modes designated in the column“F” in FIG. 28. The current fixing temperature limiter values in thecolumn “B” represent values of the detected temperature of the fixingsection at or below which the performance of the apparatus is changed inthe lowering direction from that defined in the specifications (i.e.shifted to a down sequence), and a temperature set for restoration ofthe performance of the specifications. The current limiter values of thetemperature of the fixing section in each box of the column “B”represent a product specification temperature value, a 82%-performancetemperature value, an image formation-interrupting temperature value,and an image forming operation-restoring temperature value, from theleft side, respectively.

When the detected temperature of the fixing section is equal to orhigher than a set value of the product specification temperature value,an image forming operation is executed according to productspecifications. However, when the detected temperature of the fixingsection is lower than the set value of the product specificationtemperature value and equal to or higher than a set value of the82%-performance temperature value, the image forming operation isexecuted in a state where the performance of the image forming apparatusis lowered to 82% of the product specifications. The performance islowered because if the image forming operation is executed at normalsheet feed intervals at a low fixing temperature, the risk of causingfixing failure is high, and therefore it is necessary to increase theinterval of feeding of sheets to thereby prevent fixing failure.Further, when the detected temperature of the fixing section is lowerthan the set value of the 82%-performance temperature value and equal toor higher than a set value of the image formation-interruptingtemperature value, the image forming operation is executed in a statewhere the performance of the image forming apparatus is lowered to 70%of the product specifications. Furthermore, when the detectedtemperature of the fixing section is lower than the set value of theimage formation-interrupting temperature value, the image formingoperation is interrupted. After interruption of the image formingoperation, a rise in the temperature of the fixing section is awaited,and when the detected temperature of the fixing section becomes equal toor higher than a set value of the image forming operation-restoringtemperature value, the image forming operation is resumed in accordancewith the product specifications.

Switching between the screens in FIGS. 42, 43 is performed by depressingother machine keys on the respective screens. Further, when a return key(“Return”) is depressed on each of the screens in FIGS. 42, 43, thescreen is switched back to the screen in FIG. 30 or 31 at thehierarchically higher level.

When the thick paper sequence key is depressed on the screen in FIG. 30,the screen is switched to a screen in FIG. 44, for configuring the thickpaper mode. Similarly, when the thick paper sequence key is depressed onthe screen in FIG. 31, the screen is switched to a screen in FIG. 45,for configuring the thick paper mode. FIG. 44 is a view showing anexample of the screen for configuring the a thick paper mode for theimage forming apparatus 3103 appearing in FIG. 20, and FIG. 45 is viewshowing an example of the screen for configuring the a thick paper modefor the image forming apparatus 3102 appearing in FIG. 20.

On each of the screens in FIGS. 44 and 45, registered modes aredisplayed in respective rows. A column “A” shows thick paper mode names.A column “B” shows sheet types currently registered for the thick papermode. A column “C” shows current fixing temperature limiter values. Acolumn “D” shows ambient temperature values detected when the associatedlimiter values displayed in the column “C” are set respectively (initialvalues are those detected at the time of installation of the apparatus).A column “E” shows ambient humidity values detected when the associatedlimiter values displayed in the column “C” are set respectively (initialvalues are those detected at the time of installation of the apparatus).A column “F” shows allowable temperature difference from the currentambient temperature, and a column “G” shows allowable humiditydifference from the current ambient humidity. The sheet types in thecolumn “B” correspond to the sheet types designated in the column “B” inFIG. 28 and the sheet types set in each of the columns A in FIGS. 32,33. The current fixing temperature limiter values in the column “C”represent values of the detected temperature of the fixing section at orbelow which the performance of the apparatus is changed in the loweringdirection from that defined in the specifications (i.e. shifted to athick paper sequence), and a temperature set for restoration of theperformance of the specifications. The current limiter values of thetemperature of the fixing section in each box of the column “C”represent a product specification temperature value, a 82%-performancetemperature value, an image formation-interrupting temperature value,and an image forming operation-restoring temperature value, from theleft side, respectively.

When the detected temperature of the fixing section is equal to orhigher than a set value of the product specification temperature value,an image forming operation is executed according to productspecifications. However, when the detected temperature of the fixingsection is lower than the set value of the product specificationtemperature value and equal to or higher than a set value of the82%-performance temperature value, the image forming operation isexecuted in a state where the performance of the image forming apparatusis lowered to 82% of the product specifications. The performance is madelower that that of the product specifications, for the same reason asdescribed above for the down sequence. Further, when the detectedtemperature of the fixing section is lower than the set value of the82%-performance temperature value and equal to or higher than a setvalue of the image formation-interrupting temperature value, the imageforming operation is executed in a state where the performance of theimage forming apparatus is lowered to 70% of the product specifications.Furthermore, when the detected temperature of the fixing section islower than the set value of the image formation-interrupting temperaturevalue, the image forming operation is interrupted. After interruption ofthe image forming operation, a rise in the temperature of the fixingsection is awaited, and when the detected temperature of the fixingsection becomes equal to or higher than a set value of the image formingoperation-restoring temperature value, the image forming operationresumed in accordance with the product specifications.

When it is simultaneously detected that the detected temperature becomeslower than limiter values for both the down sequence and the thick papersequence, one of the two sequences in which the performance is loweredto a larger degree is preferentially applied. The priority is applied inthe order of interruption of image forming operation, 70% performance,82% performance and product specification. Further, the image formingoperation restoring operation is also performed according to one of thetwo sequences for which the more strict condition is set. For example,assuming that the set temperature value for image forming operationrestoring operation after the image formation interruption in the downsequence is 188° C., and the set temperature value for image formingoperation restoring operation after the image formation interruption inthe thick paper sequence is 183° C., the set temperature value of 188°C. is preferentially applied.

Switching between the screens in FIGS. 44, 45 is performed by depressingother machine keys on the respective screens. Further, when a return key(“Return”) is depressed on each of the screens in FIGS. 44, 45, thescreen is switched back to the screen in FIG. 30 or 31 at thehierarchically higher level.

Next, a description will be given of the adjustment sequence referred tohereinabove with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. On the screen shown inFIG. 25, the down sequence adjustment key and the thick paper modeadjustment key are already shaded, which means that neither of the downsequence adjustment and the thick paper mode adjustment is necessary. Onthe other hand, on the screen shown in FIG. 26, the down sequenceadjustment key and the thick paper mode adjustment key are bothdisplayed in black on white, which indicates that both of theadjustments are necessary. From this, the operator can judge that thedown sequence adjustment and thick paper mode adjustment need not beexecuted for the image forming apparatus 3103, and that they need to beexecuted for the image forming apparatus 3102.

When the down sequence adjustment key is depressed on the screen shownin FIG. 25, the screen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 46.Similarly, when the down sequence adjustment key is depressed on thescreen shown in FIG. 26, the screen is switched to a screen shown inFIG. 47. FIG. 46 is a view showing an example of a mode-specificadjustment screen for down sequence adjustment for the image formingapparatus 3103 appearing in FIG. 20, and FIG. 47 is a view showing anexample of a mode-specific adjustment screen for down sequenceadjustment for the image forming apparatus 3102 appearing in FIG. 20.

On the screen shown in FIG. 46, “Low image quality”, “High imagequality”, and “Very high image quality” correspond to print mode namesin the column “A” on the screen shown in FIG. 42. Similarly, on thescreen shown in FIG. 47, “Low image quality”, “High image quality”, and“Very high image quality” correspond to print mode names in the column“A” on the screen shown in FIG. 43.

On the screens shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, the mode-specific adjustmentkeys for the down sequence adjustment are displayed in black on whitewhen there holds either of the following conditions, and shaded whenthere does not hold either of the following conditions:

(1) On the screen shown in FIG. 42 or 43, which is used in a mannerassociated with an image forming apparatus to which is supplied printjob data of jobs registered on the screen shown in FIG. 29, values ofthe temperature shown in the column “C” associated with print modesdesignated in the column “A” are not within the allowable temperaturedifferences with respect to the current ambient temperature.

(2) On the screen shown in FIG. 42 or 43, which is used in a mannerassociated with an image forming apparatus to which is supplied printjob data of jobs registered on the screen shown in FIG. 29, values ofthe humidity shown in the column “D” associated with print modesdesignated in the column “A” are not within allowable humiditydifferences with respect to the current ambient humidity.

The states of “Low image quality”, “High image quality”, and “Very highimage quality” being shaded on the screen shown in FIG. 46 correspond toa state in which the print modes designated by the print jobs registeredon the screen shown in FIG. 29 are two print modes of “High imagequality” and “Very high image quality”, and the ambient temperature andhumidity displayed on the initial screen of FIG. 22 are within theabove-mentioned allowable temperature and humidity differences. Further,the print mode of “Low image quality” is not used here, and since thismode thus does not require adjustment, the key thereof is shaded. Allthe keys of “Low image quality”, “High image quality” and “Very highimage quality” are shaded on the screen shown in FIG. 46, so that thedown sequence adjustment key on the screen shown in FIG. 25 is shaded.

The states of “Low image quality” and “High image quality” beingdisplayed in black on white on the screen shown in FIG. 47 correspond toa state in which the print modes designated by the print jobs registeredon the screen shown in FIG. 29 are two print modes of “Low imagequality” and “High image quality”, and the ambient temperature displayedon the initial screen of FIG. 22 is not within the above-mentionedallowable temperature. Further, the print mode of “Very high imagequality” is not used here, and since this mode thus does not requireadjustment, the key thereof is shaded. All the keys of “Low imagequality”, “High image quality” and “Very high image quality” are notshaded on the screen shown in FIG. 47, so that the down sequenceadjustment key on the screen shown in FIG. 26 is displayed in black onwhite.

When the mode-specific adjustment key (any of the low image quality key,high image quality key, and very high image quality key) is depressed onthe down sequence adjustment screen shown in FIG. 46 or 47, the screenis switched to the screen shown in FIG. 42 or 43, respectively, and theconfiguration is carried out by changing the current limiter value ofthe fixing temperature in the column “B” associated therewith. Thechanging of the limiter value of the fixing temperature in the column“B” is carried out using numerical value-inputting means, not shown.When the operator changes the limiter value of the fixing temperature,and depresses a set key (“Set”), the ambient temperature value in thecolumn “C” is replaced by the current ambient temperature, and theambient humidity value in the column “D” is replaced by the currentambient humidity. Further, when the changing of the current limitervalue of the fixing temperature in the column “B” necessary for theprint mode is completed on the screen shown in FIG. 43, and the returnkey is depressed, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 46or 47, on which the mode-specific adjustment keys in the down sequenceadjustment are shaded.

Next, a description will be given of a case in which the thick papermode adjustment key is depressed on the screen shown in FIG. 25 or 26.When the thick paper mode adjustment key is depressed on the screenshown in FIG. 25, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 48.Similarly, when the thick paper mode adjustment key is depressed on thescreen shown in FIG. 26, the screen is switched to the screen shown inFIG. 49. FIG. 48 is a view showing an example of a mode-specificadjustment screen for the thick paper mode adjustment for the imageforming apparatus 3103 appearing in FIG. 20, and FIG. 49 is a viewshowing an example of a mode-specific adjustment screen for the thickpaper mode adjustment for the image forming apparatus 3102 appearing inFIG. 20.

“Thick paper 1”, “Thick paper 2”, and “Thick paper 3” on the screenshown in FIG. 48 correspond to the names of the thick paper mode in thecolumn “A” on the screen shown in FIG. 44. Similarly, “Thick paper 1”,“Thick paper 2”, and “Thick paper 3” on the screen shown in FIG. 49correspond to the names of the thick paper mode in the column “A” on thescreen shown in FIG. 45.

On the screens of FIGS. 48 and 49, the mode-specific specific adjustmentkeys for the thick paper mode adjustment are displayed in black onwhite, when there holds either of the following conditions, and shadedwhen there does not hold either of the following conditions:

(1) On the screen shown in FIG. 44 or 45, which is used in a mannerassociated with an image forming apparatus to which is supplied printjob data of jobs registered on the screen shown in FIG. 29, values ofthe temperature shown in the column “D” associated with the a thickpaper mode designated in the column “A”, including the designation oftype sheets, are not within the allowable temperature differences withrespect to the current ambient temperature.

(2) On the screen shown in FIG. 44 or 45, which is used in a mannerassociated with an image forming apparatus to which is supplied printjob data of registered as jobs on the screen shown in FIG. 29, values ofthe humidity shown in the column “E” associated with the a thick papermode designated in the column “A”, including the designation of a typeof sheet, are not within the allowable humidity differences with respectto the current ambient humidity.

The states of the keys of “Thick paper 1”, “Thick paper 2”, and “Thickpaper 3” being shaded on the screen shown in FIG. 48 correspond to astate in which the sheet types designated by the print jobs registeredon the screen shown in FIG. 29 are the three types of “Sheet A”, “SheetC”, and “Sheet D”, and the ambient temperature and humidity displayed onthe initial screen shown in FIG. 22 are within the allowable temperatureand humidity differences associated with the thick paper mode names of“Thick paper 1” and “Thick paper 2” in the column “A” on the associatedscreen shown in FIG. 44. Further, the thick paper mode of “Thick paper3” is not used here, and since this mode thus does not requireadjustment, the key thereof is shaded. All the keys of “Thick paper 1”,“Thick paper 2” and “Thick paper 3” are shaded on the screen shown inFIG. 48, so that the thick paper mode adjustment key on the screen shownin FIG. 25 is shaded.

The states of the keys of “Thick paper 1” and “Thick paper 2” beingdisplayed in black on white on the screen shown in FIG. 49 correspond toa state in which the sheet types designated by the print jobs registeredon the screen shown in FIG. 29 are the three types of “Sheet H”, “SheetI”, and “Sheet J”, and the ambient temperature displayed on the initialscreen shown in FIG. 22 is not within the allowable temperaturedifferences associated with the thick paper mode names of “Thick paper1” and “Thick paper 2” in the column “A” on the associated screen shownin FIG. 45. Further, the thick paper mode of “Thick paper 3” is not usedhere, and since this mode thus does not require adjustment, the keythereof is shaded. All the keys of “Thick paper 1”, “Thick paper 2” and“Thick paper 3” are not shaded on the screen shown in FIG. 49, so thatthe thick paper mode adjustment key on the screen shown in FIG. 26 isdisplayed in black on white.

When a mode-specific adjustment key is depressed on the screen shown inFIG. 46 or 47, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 44 or45, respectively, and the configuration is carried out by changing thecurrent limiter value of the fixing temperature in the column “C”associated therewith. The changing of the limiter value of the fixingtemperature in the column “C” is carried out using the numericalvalue-inputting means, not shown. When the operator changes the limitervalue of the fixing temperature, and depresses a set key (“Set”), theambient temperature value in the column “D” is replaced by the currentambient temperature and the ambient humidity value in the column “E” isreplaced by the current ambient humidity. Further, when the changing ofcurrent limiter value of the fixing temperature in the column “B”necessary for the print mode is completed on the screen shown in FIG. 44or 45, and a return key (“Return”) is depressed, the screen is switchedto the screen shown in FIG. 48 or 49, on which the operatedmode-specific adjustment key in the down sequence adjustment becomesshaded.

Next, a description will be given of operations performed when thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment key is depressed. On the screen shownin FIG. 23, when the replacement/cleaning/replenishment key isdepressed, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 50,wherein a list of items of replacement/cleaning/replenishment isdisplayed. In the list displayed here, items which requirereplacement/cleaning/replenishment are displayed in black on white, anditems which do not require replacement/cleaning/replenishment areshaded. Similarly, on the screen shown in FIG. 24, when thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment key is depressed, the screen isswitched to the screen shown in FIG. 51, wherein a list of items ofreplacement/cleaning/replenishment is displayed. FIGS. 50 and 51 areviews showing examples of screens displaying a list of items ofreplacement/cleaning/replenishment for the image forming apparatus 3103appearing in FIG. 20, and FIGS. 52 and 53 are views showing examples ofscreens displaying a list of items of replacement/cleaning/replenishmentfor the image forming apparatus 3102 appearing in FIG. 20.

When all the items cannot be collectively shown on the screen shown inFIG. 50 or 52, a continued page screen is provided. In the illustratedexample, all the items of the list to be displayed cannot becollectively shown on the screen shown in FIG. 50 or 52, so that bydepressing a next page key (“Next page”), the screen can be shifted tothe screen shown in FIG. 51 or 53, to display the remaining items.Conversely, when the items of the previous page are desired to bedisplayed when viewing the screen shown in FIG. 51 or 53, a previouspage key (“Previous page”) is depressed so that the screen returns tothe screen shown in FIG. 50 or 52, respectively.

Switching between the screens in FIGS. 50, 51 and FIGS. 52, 53 isperformed by depressing other machine keys on the respective screens.Further, when a return key (“Return”) is depressed on each of thescreens in FIGS. 50, 51, 52, 53, the screen is switched back to thescreen in FIG. 23 or 24 at the hierarchically higher level.

Next, a description will be given of a process for determining whetherkeys (item keys) in the list of replacement/cleaning/replenishmentshould be displayed in black on white or shaded.

The determination of whether item keys on the screens of FIGS. 50 to 53should be displayed in black on white or shaded is carried out in thefollowing manner:

Based on the print job data of jobs registered on the screen shown inFIG. 29, the number of times of image formation to be carried out(number of sheets to be printed) by an image forming apparatus to whichprint job data is supplied for image formation is calculated from thenumbers of sheets to be printed in the column “B” and the associatednumbers of copies to be printed in the column “C”. Then, the calculatednumber of times of image formation is added to each of the currentcomponent operation count values in the column “B” on the screens ofFIGS. 34 to 41 (in the case of the screens shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, thecalculated number is added to the component operation count value ofrollers corresponding to a location from which the sheets are to besupplied, and the component operation count value of double-sided sheetfeed rollers for which counting is performed whenever image formation isperformed on a second side of each sheet), and it is determined whetheror not any of the resulting sums exceeds an associated one of the valuesin the column “C” at or above which cleaning becomes necessary, thevalues in the column “D” at or above which replacement becomesnecessary, and the values in the column “E” at or above which adjustmentbecomes necessary. When the columns “C”, “D”, and “E” have boxescontaining no values, these boxes are excluded from the abovedetermination. Items of which the calculated sum exceeds any of thecount values designated in the columns “C”, “D”, and “E” are displayedin black on white, and those of which the same does not exceed any ofthe count values designated in the columns “C”, “D”, and “E” are shaded.However, if the number of times of image formation exceeds the currentcomponent operation count value of the column “B”, it is excluded fromthe determination. Further, it is additionally determined that when thecurrent date is beyond a date calculated from a service time period ofthe associated component before replacement, shown in the column “F”,with respect to the date on which component replacement was performed,shown in the column “G”, item keys relevant to the above case should bedisplayed in black on white.

In the case of the illustrated example of the screen shown in FIG. 50,the number of times of image formation calculated from data on thescreen shown in FIG. 29 is 5600 (the item on the second line in FIG. 28is not included), and the current component operation count value of theprimary electrostatic charge wires on the screen shown in FIG. 34 is47000. Therefore, the value of the sum concerning the primaryelectrostatic charge wires is 47000+5600=52600. This value of 52600exceeds the count value of 50000 at or above which the wires requirereplacement, and therefore, it is determined that the wires should bereplaced.

Of the item keys on the screens of FIGS. 50 to 53, those displayed inblack on white are subjected to a process ofreplacement/cleaning/replenishment according to a service manual (notshown). When this process is completed, and the operator depresses theassociated item key displayed in black on white, it is determined thatthe process is completed, so that the item key becomes shaded. At thistime, when a replacement process has been executed, the currentcomponent operation count value of the associated component in thecolumn “B” on the screens of FIGS. 34 to 42 is cleared (set to 0), asdescribed hereinabove, and the component replacement date in the column“G” is updated to the current date. When all items on the screens shownin FIGS. 50 to 53 are shaded, the replacement/cleaning/replenishmentkeys in FIGS. 23 and 24 at the hierarchically upper level are shadedaccordingly. In the case of the screen shown in FIG. 24, all items onthe screens shown in FIGS. 52 and 53 are shaded, so that thereplacement/cleaning/replenishment key on the screen shown in FIG. 24 isshaded.

Next, a description will be given of a case in which the job sequencekey is depressed on the screen shown in FIG. 23 or 24. When the jobsequence key is depressed on the screen shown in FIG. 23, the screen isswitched to a sheet feed cassette-related process screen shown in FIG.54. On the sheet feed cassette-related process screen, items whichrequire sheet replenishment or replacement are displayed in black onwhite, and items which do not require sheet replenishment or replacementare shaded. Similarly, when the job sequence key is depressed on thescreen shown in FIG. 24, the screen is switched to a sheet feedcassette-related process screen shown in FIG. 55. FIG. 54 is a viewshowing an example of the sheet feed cassette-related process screen forthe image forming apparatus 3103 appearing in FIG. 20, and FIG. 55 is aview showing an example of the sheet feed cassette-related processscreen for the image forming apparatus 3102 appearing in FIG. 20.

Switching between the screens in FIGS. 54, 55 is performed by depressingother machine keys on the respective screens. Further, when a return key“Return” is depressed on each of the screens shown in FIGS. 54, 55, thescreen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 23 or 24 at thehierarchically higher level.

Next, a description will be given of a process for determining whetheritem keys in the sheet feed cassette-related process screen should bedisplayed in black on white or shaded.

The determination as to whether item keys on the screens in FIGS. 54 and55 should be displayed in black on white or shaded is carried out in thefollowing manner:

Based on the print job data of jobs registered on the screen shown inFIG. 29, the required number of sheets of a sheet feed cassette of animage forming apparatus to which print job data is supplied for imageformation is calculated from the numbers of sheets to be printed in thecolumn “B” and the associated numbers of copies to be printed in thecolumn “C”. Then, the calculated required number of sheets of the sheetfeed cassette is compared with the currently set number of sheets in thecolumn “C” on the screen in FIG. 32 or 33, and if the latter number issmaller than the former number, the associated item of sheetreplenishment to the sheet feed cassette is displayed in black on white.Further, based on the print job data of jobs registered on the screenshown in FIG. 29, when the sheet feed cassettes contain no sheets forimage formation by an image forming apparatus to which print job data issupplied, and at the same time there is a sheet feed cassette which isnot in use, the item of sheet replacement for the sheet feed cassettenot in use is displayed in black on white.

In the illustrated example in FIG. 54, the third sheet feed cassetterequires 4000 sheets from the print job data on the screen shown in FIG.29, and the currently set number of sheets in the column “C” of thescreen shown in FIG. 32 is 100. Therefore, it is determined that sheetreplenishment is necessary. Further, in the illustrated example in FIG.54, the second sheet feed cassette contains sheets which are notrequired by the print job data on the screen in FIG. 29, and at the sametime does not contain the sheets D required by the print job data on thescreen in FIG. 29. Therefore, it is determined sheet replenishment isnecessary for the second sheet feed cassette.

As to item keys of sheet replenishment displayed in black on white onthe screen shown in FIG. 54 or 55, after replenishment of sheets hasbeen completed, when the user depresses the associated item keydisplayed in black on white, it is determined that the replenishment ofsheets has been completed, and the item key displayed in black on whitebecomes shaded. At this time, as described hereinabove, the currentlyset number of sheets in the column “C” on the associated screen in FIG.32 or 33 is changed to the maximum number of sheets in the column “D”.Further, as to item keys of sheet replacement displayed in black onwhite on the screens of FIGS. 54 and 55 as well, after replacement ofsheets has been completed, when the user depresses the associated itemkey displayed in black on white, it is determined that the sheetreplacing process has been completed, and the associated item keydisplayed in black on white becomes shaded. At this time, as describedhereinabove, the currently set number of sheets in the column “C” on theassociated screen in FIG. 32 or 33 is changed to the maximum number ofsheets in the column “D”.

When all the items on the screens in FIGS. 54 and 55 are shaded, the jobsequence keys on the screens in FIGS. 23 and 24 come to be shadedaccordingly.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, maintenance items which donot require maintenance are shaded, which makes it possible to notifythe operator of the maintenance items which do not require maintenance,thereby reducing downtime caused by the maintenance operation.

It is to be understood that the object of the present invention may alsobe accomplished by supplying a system or an apparatus with a storagemedium in which a program code of software which realizes the functionsof either of the above described embodiments is stored, and causing acomputer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to read out andexecute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage mediumrealizes the functions of either of the above described embodiments, andtherefore the storage medium on which the program code is storedconstitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include aRAM, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk,a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM,a DVD-RW, a DVD+RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM,and an EEPROM.

Further, it is to be understood that the functions of either of theabove described embodiments may be accomplished not only by executing aprogram code read out by a computer, but also by causing an OS(operating system) or the like which operates on the computer to performa part or all of the actual operations based on instructions of theprogram code.

Further, it is to be understood that the functions of either of theabove described embodiments may be accomplished by writing the programcode read out from the storage medium into a memory provided in anexpansion board inserted into a computer or in an expansion unitconnected to the computer and then causing a CPU or the like provided inthe expansion board or the expansion unit to perform a part or all ofthe actual operations based on instructions of the program code.

Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system comprisedof a plurality of apparatuses or to an apparatus formed by a singleapparatus.

Further, a system or an apparatus may be supplied with a program code ofsoftware which realizes the functions of either of the above describedembodiments by downloading the program code from a database on a networkby a communication program, so that the system or the apparatus can havethe advantageous effects of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments,but can be modified in various manners based on the subject matter ofthe present invention, which should not be excluded from the scope ofthe present invention.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a job storage device thatstores a job input by a user; an adjustment item-detecting device thatdetects items of mechanical adjustment for the apparatus from contentsof at least one job stored in the job storage device; a display devicethat displays an adjustment table describing the items of mechanicaladjustment detected by said adjustment item-detecting device; anadjustment item-selecting device that allows the user to select an itemof mechanical adjustment on which adjustment should be executed, fromthe items of mechanical adjustment described in the adjustment tabledisplayed on said display device; and an adjustment executing devicethat executes adjustment on the item of mechanical adjustment selectedby the user using said adjustment item-selecting device before theexecution of a job is started.
 2. An image forming apparatus comprising:a job storage device that stores a job input by a user; an adjustmentitem-detecting device that detects items of adjustment for the apparatusfrom contents of at least one job stored in the job storage device; adisplay device that displays an adjustment table describing the items ofadjustment detected by said adjustment item-detecting device; anadjustment item-selecting device that allows the user to select an itemof adjustment on which adjustment should be executed, from the items ofadjustment described in the adjustment table displayed on said displaydevice; an adjustment executing device that executes adjustment on theitem of adjustment selected by the user using said adjustmentitem-selecting device before the execution of a job is started; and anoutput device that outputs contents of the adjustment table displayed onsaid display device according to an instruction of the user.
 3. An imageforming apparatus comprising: a job storage device that stores a jobinput by a user; an adjustment item-detecting device that detects itemsof adjustment for the apparatus from contents of at least one job storedin the job storage device; a display device that displays an adjustmenttable describing the items of adjustment detected by said adjustmentitem-detecting device; an adjustment item-selecting device that allowsthe user to select an item of adjustment on which adjustment should beexecuted, from the items of adjustment described in the adjustment tabledisplayed on said display device; an adjustment executing device thatexecutes adjustment on the item of adjustment selected by the user usingsaid adjustment item-selecting device before the execution of a job isstarted; and an adjustment contents-storing device that stores contentsof the item of adjustment on which the adjustment is executed by saidadjustment executing device.
 4. An image forming apparatus comprising: ajob storage device that stores a job input by a user; an adjustmentitem-detecting device that detects items of adjustment for the apparatusfrom contents of at least one job stored in the job storage device; adisplay device that displays an adjustment table describing the items ofadjustment detected by said adjustment item-detecting device; anadjustment item-selecting device that allows the user to select an itemof adjustment on which adjustment should be executed, from the items ofadjustment described in the adjustment table displayed on said displaydevice; an adjustment executing device that executes adjustment on theitem of adjustment selected by the user using said adjustmentitem-selecting device before the execution of a job is started; and apost-processing apparatus, wherein the items of adjustment include anitem of adjustment for the post-processing apparatus.